MUMBAI, August 1: Controversial underworld don Arun Gawli returned to his Dagdi chawl den around 10 am today to a rousing reception by hundreds of slogan-shouting followers amidst tight security.

Gawli, who was arrested on July 22 in connection with an attack on a journalist, appeared fresh in spite of spending over a week in the Thane jail.

Earlier, the Bombay High Court had dismissed the government's appeal to stay the bail granted to Gawli by the City Civil and Session Court three days ago. This cleared decks for the don's release. ``I had told you earlier I am innocent. Ultimately the High Court has given me justice,'' a smiling Gawli said. While some of his followers had gone all the way to Thane to accompany their ``Daddy'' back, the Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS) had collected a sizeable number of workers to welcome him home.

When asked to comment on his arrest, Gawli explained, ``I have been involved in social activities like blood donation, helping the poor and holding a morcha against the state government's failure. Bal Thackeray, who is jealous of my popularity, ordered the police to arrest me on the basis of fake allegations.'' On his future plans, the ABS supremo said, ``I will tour the state to strengthen the ABS by creating more shakhas.'' Dismissing the Gajre case, in which he has been accused of evicting a lady from the Dagdi Chawl and threatening to kill her, as false, he pointed out, ``I was in jail from 1980 to 1985. How could I then be here to harass her?''

Dagdi chawl residents are quite pleased with the return of their ``bhai''. ``Today is a very happy day for us as our Gawli bhai is back. He has supported us a lot. We will never desert him,'' said one adding, ``He is not a criminal. Around 2,500 people stay here and all of us trust him.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.