Arun Gawli (Gangster) Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Real Name: Arun Gulab Gawli

Nickname: Daddy

Profession: Politician

Date of Birth: 17 July 1955

Age (as in 2017): 62 Years

Zodiac sign/Sun sign: Cancer

Nationality: Indian

Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Religion: Hinduism

Caste: Kshatriya (Ahir)

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EDUCATION

School: City High School

Educational Qualification: 11th standard

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Height (approx.): in centimeters- 165 cm in meters- 1.65 m in Feet Inches- 5’ 5”

Weight (approx.): in Kilograms- 62 kg in Pounds- 137 lbs

Eye Colour: Brown

Hair Colour: Black

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Family: Father – Gulabrao (Worked in the mill industry) Mother – Lakshmibai Gulab Gawli Brother – Bappa Gawli (Died) Sister – Ashalata Gawli

Marital Status: Married

Wife/Spouse: Asha Gawli (Politician, She was Muslim before and was called, Zubeida Mujawar, but converted to Hinduism after marrying Arun Gawli)

Children: Daughters – Geeta Gawli , Yogita Gawli, Asmita Gawli Son – Mahesh Gawli

MONEY FACTOR

Net Worth (as in 2014): INR 2 crore

OTHER INFORMATION

Party: Akhil Bharatiya Sena

Biggest Rival: Dawood Ibrahim

Birth Place: Kopargaon, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India

Address: Geetai Housing Society, Dagdi Chawl, BJ Marg, Byculla, Mumbai

Hobbies: Playing snooker, watching gangster films

Favourite Food: Vada Pav

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Arun Gawli’s journey began in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, where he was born into a family that struggled with poverty. In the early 1950s, seeking better opportunities, his family relocated to Dagdi Chawl in Mumbai. This move marked a significant turning point in Gawli’s life, as the financial hardships of his upbringing compelled him to assist in his family’s milk supply business in the Saat Raasta area of the bustling city. His initial foray into the workforce saw him employed at Khatau Mills; however, the frequent strikes that plagued the mill industry during the 1970s led him to forge a new path. Joining forces with Babu Reshim and Rama Naik, he formed the notorious ‘Byculla gang,’ a decision that would alter the course of his life forever.

Before fully immersing himself in the criminal underworld, Gawli also held jobs at reputable companies like Godrej and Crompton. His personal life intertwined with his criminal endeavors when he married Asha Gawli, a Muslim woman who was known as “Zubeida Mujawar” prior to their union. The 1980s marked a significant chapter in his criminal career as he aligned himself with Rama Naik’s gang, initially tasked with providing protection for Dawood Ibrahim’s operations. However, the violent world of gang rivalry soon thrust him into the spotlight when, in 1986, he was arrested for the murder of criminal figures Parasnath Pandey and Sashi Rasham, the latter being the notorious kingpin of the Cobra Gang.

As Gawli navigated the treacherous waters of Mumbai’s gang conflicts, a pivotal moment occurred with the death of Rama Naik in a land dispute with Dawood Ibrahim, leading Gawli to emerge as Ibrahim’s arch-enemy. The early 1990s saw a tragic twist of fate for Gawli, as his brother, Bappa Gawli, was brutally killed by Dawood’s men. In retaliation, Gawli avenged his brother by murdering Ibrahim Parkar, Dawood’s brother-in-law. Known for his audacious escapes from jail, Gawli’s life was punctuated by a series of arrests. He spent nine long years imprisoned under the TADA Act (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities) while facing approximately 40 cases of various crimes, with around 15 of those cases registered between 1986 and 2005, yet none resulting in a conviction against him.

Despite the shadows of his criminal activities, Gawli revealed a more human side, expressing a belief in Lord Ganesha and Lord Krishna, showcasing his God-fearing nature amidst his tumultuous life. In 2004, he took a surprising turn by entering the political arena, forming the ‘Akhil Bhartiya Sena’ and successfully contesting the Maharashtra Assembly elections as an MLA from Dagdi Chawl. His political aspirations, however, did not shield him from the law; in 2007, he was arrested for plotting the murder of Shiv Sena leader Kamlakar Jamsandekar. The culmination of his legal battles came in August 2012 when a Mumbai sessions court sentenced him to life imprisonment under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), imposing a hefty fine of Rs. 17 lakh.

After nearly two decades of incarceration, the Supreme Court granted Gawli bail on August 28, 2025, acknowledging the substantial time he had already served. The court laid down conditions for his release, stipulating that it could be revoked should he breach any rules or face new charges. Just days later, on September 3, 2025, Gawli was released from Nagpur Central Jail. Upon his return to Mumbai, he was greeted by a throng of family, lawyers, and supporters at Dagdi Chawl, marking a significant moment in his life. The complex narrative of Arun Gawli weaves through crime, politics, and personal tragedy, illustrating the turbulent path of a man who has become an enduring figure in Mumbai’s history.

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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.