After the Taloja jail inmate was operated for piles, he has been on a strict diet programme, which has deprived his prison cronies of feasts
After the Taloja jail inmate was operated for piles, he has been on a strict diet programme, which has deprived his prison cronies of feasts
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Arun Gawli cannot regale his cronies in jail with sumptuous banquets. Not because of any disciplinary action or prison rules, but because of piles. 
The gangster-turned-politician, who has been in Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai since last October, was operated for piles last month, and has to follow a regimented diet programme.
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He has been advised only to have non-spicy food with less oil and salt.
"Gawli has been following his diet strictly. Also, he is on medication," said a jail official, who didn't wish to be named.
Surinder Kumar, deputy inspector general (prisons), confirmed that Gawli underwent treatment for piles. "After due medical treatment, he has been shifted back to Taloja," he said.u00a0
In a ripple effect, the don's diet has deprived his prison pals of the fringe benefits they had grown accustomed to.
Earlier, they would feast on delicacies for lunch and dinner, prepared by Gawli's special cook, who reportedly complied with his every demand. Gawli's preference for tangy chow is common knowledge in prison circles.
But for the last two weeks, mealtime has ceased to include spicy non-vegetarian fare that would trickle down to Gawli's lackeys by dint of his bias for good food.
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They have to make do with the plain food available in limited supply in the jail canteen.
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Incidentally, Gawli has managed to keep his figure trim despite several years behind bars. He keeps off jail and junk food, insiders said. With a dedicated cook, that shouldn't have been a problem. 
What's cooking
Records with Mumbai Crime Branch officials indicate that the don and other high-profile inmates of the jail have special cooks, who are called Maharaj by inmates and prison staff.
These dedicated cooks are paid to stay near the jail the gang members are shifted to, so they can serve them at short notice, sources said.
The arrangement works out just fine for everyone. The cook's proximity to the jail helps gangsters with a penchant for good living. The cooks are rewarded well.
The henchmen are happy. As are the prison wardens, who look forward to a substantial baksheesh to allow the special dishes inside the prison.
Undertrial
Gawli is facing charges for a series of cases, from extortion to murder, including that of Shiv Sena Corporator Kamlakar Jamsandikar. According to senior Crime Branch officials, since his trials in several criminal cases are on, his financial status is in trouble. The legal battles come with a huge bill. And he is believed to be selling off his properties in Central Mumbai to bail himself out. Most of the properties are in his wife's and mother's names.
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