After the special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act court on Friday sentenced gangster-turned-political Arun Gawli to life imprisonment for murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar, the state jail authorities have said he is likely to be sent to the Kolhapur Central Jail in the next couple of days.

Even though Gawli was lodged in the Yerwada jail the 1990s, a senior jail officer of Yerawada central jail told DNA, “We do not think, Gawli will be lodged in Yerawada jail due to the recent murder of an alleged Indian Mujahiddin operative, Quateel Siddiqui, in jail. After Yerawada, Kolhapur central jail would be a safe place for Gawali. We do not think he would be taken to Nagpur or Nashik jail, as both jails would not be safe for him. We strongly believed that Gawli would be taken to Kolhapur jail.”

The officer also predicted a possible gang war in jail if Gawli is lodged in Yerawada.

Presently, German Bakery blast suspect Himayat Baig, dreaded gangster Sharad Mohol, his accomplice Alok Bhalerao and other criminals have been kept in anda Cell.

Moreover, if Gawli is lodged in Yerawada jail, his gang members will arrive in Pune and will disturb peace of the city. “When Gawli was serving his term in Yerawada jail in 1990’s, his gang left the city completely disturbed for over a decade, as the gang was working with local goons. They used to extort local businessmen.

Also, soon other gangs too, made inroads into the city and encounters became a frequent phenomena.” officer said.Despite repeated attempts to contact additional director general (prison) Meeran Chadha Borwankar, she was not available for her comments.