Gawli on Dawood's hitlist: Jt Commissioner

Mumbai, May 21 (UNI) Joint Commissioner (crime) of Mumbai Police Rakesh Maria today admitted that the underworld don-turned-legislator Arun Gawli is on the hitlist of rival Dawood Ibrahim's gang.

Gawli was booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in an extortion case last month and was booked under the same law again yesterday for the murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar. He is presently lodged in Arthur Road Jail here.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Maria said Gawli was safe in their custody and keeping him safe was their duty.

''It is our duty to take care of Gawli or any other accused in our custody and there is no need for Gawli to worry about attacks from rival gangs,'' he added.

Gawli had earlier told the court that his life was in danger from Dawood's shooters. He had expressed apprehensions that he might be bumped off by them on the way to J J Hospital, where he goes for regular medical check-ups.

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