Arun Gawli is a well-known figure from India who was both a gangster and a politician. Today is Thursday, September 4, 2025. His life story is full of many twists and turns, and it shows how a person can change over time.
Early Life And Background
Arun Gawli was born on July 17, 1955, in Kopargaon, which is in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, India. When he was young, he worked at several factories in Mumbai, such as Simplex Mills, Godrej & Boyce, and Crompton Greaves. However, his life took a different path when he started getting involved with the criminal world. He began working for a local gangster named Parasnath Pandey, who ran illegal gambling and liquor businesses in the city. Arun and his brother Kishor joined a group called the "Byculla Company," which was a gang controlling many activities in central Mumbai.
Arun Gawli Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Wife, Son, Family
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arun Gulab Gawli (also known as Arun Gulab Ahir) |
| Date of Birth | July 17, 1955 |
| Birthplace | Kopargaon, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India |
| Early Jobs | Factory worker at Simplex Mills, Godrej & Boyce, Crompton Greaves in Mumbai |
| Entry into Crime | Joined gangster Parasnath Pandey’s operations; later joined the "Byculla Company" gang |
| Rise in Gangster World | Took leadership of the gang after Rama Naik's death in 1988; operated from Dagdi Chawl |
| Main Criminal Activities | Extortion, smuggling, murder, control of central Mumbai underworld |
| Rivalries | Fought violent gang wars mainly against Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company gang |
| Nickname | "Robin Hood of Dagdi Chawl" due to helping poor locals |
| Political Career | Founded Akhil Bharatiya Sena in 1997; elected as MLA from Chinchpokli constituency in 2004 |
| Family | Wife: Asha Gawli (also MLA); 5 children; nephew Sachin Ahir (also politician) |
| Arrests and Convictions | Arrested multiple times; convicted in 2012 for murder of Shiv Sena leader Kamlakar Jamsandekar |
| Imprisonment | Sentenced to life imprisonment; spent over 17 years in jail; released on bail in Sept 2025 |
| Influence and Legacy | Known for blending crime and politics; viewed as protector by some locals |
Early Jobs
The Byculla Company was formed in the late 1970s by two gang leaders, Rama Naik and Babu Reshim. They united many small gangs from areas like Byculla, Parel, and Saat Rasta to build a strong power group in Mumbai. Arun Gawli quickly rose in the ranks because he knew these leaders from his earlier days. The gang’s job was to fight rival gangs and control parts of the city. During this time, Arun’s gang fought against other famous criminals, including Dawood Ibrahim’s gang, which was one of the biggest in Mumbai.
Life Story
In 1988, Rama Naik was killed in a police encounter. After this, Arun Gawli took control of the group and started running it from his home in Dagdi Chawl, a building in the heart of Mumbai. His gang ruled the criminal world in central Mumbai for many years. However, trouble came when Dawood Ibrahim’s group and Arun’s gang started fighting fiercely to gain more power. This fight caused many violent clashes and caused fear among people living nearby.
Even though Arun Gawli was involved in many criminal activities such as murder, extortion, and smuggling, he was very popular among the people living in his area. Many called him the "Robin Hood of Dagdi Chawl" because he helped poor people by giving them money and support. He was seen by some as a protector of the poor Maharashtrian community in Mumbai.
After many years in the underworld, Arun Gawli decided to enter politics. In 1997, he started his own political party called the Akhil Bharatiya Sena. He wanted to use politics as a way to bring change. In 2004, he won the election and became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Chinchpokli constituency in Maharashtra. His wife, Asha Gawli, also became an MLA. This showed how he had gained acceptance in society despite his past.
However, his criminal record caught up with him. Arun Gawli was arrested several times but escaped conviction for many years as witnesses were afraid to speak against him. In 2012, he was finally convicted for the murder of a Shiv Sena leader named Kamlakar Jamsandekar and sentenced to life in prison. Since then, he has been serving time in jail.
Life Lessons
Arun Gawli’s life story reflects the complex world of Mumbai’s underworld and how crime and politics sometimes mix. He went from being a factory worker to a feared gangster, and then to a politician. His story also shows how people in difficult areas sometimes look for strong leaders who can protect and support them.
He has five children, including sons and daughters, some of whom are involved in politics too. His family is active in Maharashtra’s political scene. Despite his past, Arun Gawli is remembered as a man who made a big impact in Mumbai’s history.
In summary, Arun Gawli’s journey is a mix of crime, power, politics, and controversy. His life teaches many lessons about how circumstances and choices can change a person’s path. Today, he remains a well-known name in Mumbai’s story, long after the days of gang wars and tough battles for control .
