Over 100-150 cops are set to keep an eye on the guests as convicted murderer Arun Gawli's son ties the knot this Saturday; invitees include Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria himself
Arun Gawl's son Mahesh and Krutika
This is one wedding that’s going to see a lot of gatecrashers.
When Arun Gulab Ahir aka Arun Gawli aka Daddy’s only son ties the knot on Saturday, there will be nearly 100-150 uninvited guests from the police department, who will be keeping a close watch on all those who will be attending to find out the people who are close to the former don and also get a handle on the underworld’s forever-changing equations.
Also read: Mumbai: HC grants 15-day parole to gangster Arun Gawli to attend his son's wedding
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The happy couple: Mahesh (27) and Krutika (20) will tie the knot at Turf Club, Mahalaxmi
While the gangster-turned-politician, who is also the founder-president of the Akhil Bhartiya Sena, has been convicted in Shiv Sena leader Kamlakar Jamsandekar’s murder case and is presently lodged in Nagpur Central Jail, his only son, Mahesh (27) is going to marry Krutika Ahir (20), a resident of Nagpur, who studied in Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar College and is a professional Bharatnatyam dancer. Mahesh, who is trying his hand at real estate, had met Krutika at a marriage ceremony in Nagpur.
Arun Gawli
Gawli has been also granted parole for 15 days by the High Court to attend the wedding and is expected to come out of jail today. Sources said followers had already started gathering outside the jail yesterday to welcome Gawli.
Smile ok please: With cops getting invited to the wedding as well, the Mumbai Police may end up having information from within and without. Illustration/Amit Bandre
Preparations on
The Haldi ceremony is on May 8 at the Gawli residence in Dagdi Chawl and the wedding ceremony is slated to be held at the Main Enclosure at Turf Club, Mahalaxmi Race Course on the evening of May 9. There is a puja at the residence on May 10.
The invitation for the wedding, which is slated to be held at the Mahalaxmi Race Course on May 9
“People from various fraternities, like businessmen, policemen and politicians have been invited by the family for the marriage function, but we know a lot of them will not be present because of the fear of being seen as close to Daddy and coming under the police radar,” said a close friend of the Gawli family, requesting anonymity.
Officials of the Mumbai Crime Branch, however, said policemen are going to be present at the venue to keep an eye on the visitors and to see who all the family is in touch with these days.
“We know about the wedding and we will keep a tab on it,” confirmed Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Atul Chandra Kulkarni.
A team of officials from the Special Branch and the Crime Branch will keep vigil at the venue. The officers will monitor the list of guests arriving at the wedding and maintain records of all the criminals who will be present.
“Nearly 100-150 cops from Unit II of the Crime Branch are likely to be present. This will help us ascertain equations in the gang as well as the members who are still in touch with him and his family,” said a Crime Branch officer.
The Crime Branch officials will also try and lay their hands on the video footage of the function.
Police commissioner gets invite
Sources said Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria has also been invited for Mahesh’s wedding. “I have sent a wedding invitation to people we know from various walks of life and I am hopeful a lot of them will be coming as they have promised to do so,” said corporator Geeta Gawli, daughter of Arun Gawli and sister of Mahesh.
Dozens of cards have also been sent to the Agripada police station, which was considered a second home for Gawli till the mid-90s, given the number of cases that had piled up against him. For several years, Gawli had even topped chart of the top ten criminals in Agripada and its adjoining police station.
The cards have been sent to several officers from Agripada police and the local ACP and DCP have also been invited by Geeta Gawli for the wedding.
Striking fear
Arun Gawli had come into the limelight in the late 80s and 90s. He allegedly killed several businessmen, Shiv Sena leaders, and mill leaders. He has around 25 cases of kidnapping and extortion against him and had taken on Dawood Ibrahim after the killing of his close aide Satish Raje. Gawli was famous for operating from his mansion in Dagdi Chawl in Saat Rasta, which policemen and rival gangsters were afraid to enter at one point.
Also read: Arun Gawli gets life for corporator's murder
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