The Supreme Court granted bail to gangster-turned-politician Arun Gulab Gawali and his co-appellants, who have been in custody for nearly 18 years in connection with multiple criminal cases.
The appeals were heard by a Bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh. Taking note of the prolonged incarceration of almost 18 years, the Court observed that continued custody would not be justified while the appeals were still pending.
Accordingly, the Bench directed that the appellants be released on bail during the pendency of the appeals, subject to terms and conditions to be imposed by the Trial Court. Liberty was also granted to the prosecution to seek cancellation of bail if the appellants violated bail conditions or were found to be involved in any other offence.
The appeals have been listed for further hearing in February 2026.
Appearances :
Appellant(s) : Ms. Bharti Tyagi, AOR; Mr. Shantanu M. Adkar, Adv.; Mr. Pravin Satale, Adv.; Mr. Mohit Kumar Singh, Adv.; Ms. Shambhavi Kanade, Adv.; Mr. Anand Dilip Landge, AOR; Mr. Yuvraj Warghade, Adv.; Mrs. Sangeeta Nenwani, Adv.; Ms. Revati Pravin Kharde, Adv.
Respondents: Mr. Raja Thakare, A.S.G.; Mr. Aaditya Aniruddha Pande, AOR; Mr. Siddharth Dharmadhikari, Adv.; Mr. Shrirang B. Varma, Adv.; Mr. Akash Kavade, Adv.; Mr. Bharat Bagla, Adv.; Mr. Sourav Singh, Adv.; Mr. Aditya Krishna, Adv.; Mr. Adarsh Dubey, Adv.; Ms. Chitransha Singh Sikarwar, Adv