Gawli, who was detained under the MPDA Act since September 22, 1997, was set for release following the completion of the detention period on September 22, 1998. Holambe-Patil's order provides for police escort to Gawli from Thane Central Jail to his residence at Dagdi Chawl. Instructions to that effect have been issued to the Thane city police.

Gawli had prayed for police escort as he feared danger to his life at the hands of rival gangsters like Ashwin Naik, Chhota Shakeel and others. Earlier, Gawli was provided with police escort following orders by the Bombay High Court.

The underworld don had recently moved the Sessions Court for anticipatory bail in connection with the murder of the InCable net director, Ram Panjabi. Following an interim order by Principal Sessions Judge A S Aguiar, thepolice have been directed not to arrest Gawli till October 5.