On Dec. 9, Mumbai witnessed a unique auction of posessions and properties that once belonged to the fugitive mafia boss Dawood Ibrahim. The gangster once ruled over the city's crime syndicate, but fled India in the 1980s and is wanted by the Indian government for his role in the 1993 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai and several other cases.
A small and motley group of bidders gathered to get their hands on Ibrahim's numerous assets, which constitute only a miniscule portion of his posessions in the city. The auction was held amidst considerable tension, after a threat issued from Ibrahim's aide Chhota Shakeel to one of the bidders.
The bidder in question, former journalist S Balakrishnan, ultimately managed to get the Delhi Zayka restaurant for Rs 428 million ($6.4 million). Earlier known as the Raonaq Afroz hotel, the property was once Ibrahim's hideout, and is situated close to his former residence in the Dambarwala building in Bhendi Bazaar. Balakrishnan, who has reported extensively on the Mumbai underworld, plans to start an English-speaking and computer coaching institute for the neighbourhood's underpriviliged women and children through his NGO Desh Seva Samiti.
Over the years, the government has held several auctions of Ibrahim's Mumbai properties, but without much success due to fear of reprisal. "There was hardly any response to the last two auctions held for Dawood's properties, mainly because of the terror factor and fear of the don." Balakrishnan told reporters. "This time around, I felt that someone must take the initiative and take part in the bidding."
A leader from the right-wing Hindu Mahasabha also bought a green Hyundai Accent car, allegedly owned by Ibrahim, for a sum of Rs 32,000 ($479). The organisation plans to repair the car and use it as an ambulance.
Ibrahim's emergence as the leader of the crime syndicate D-Company is the stuff of legend, with many Bollywood movies and books tracing his rise. The mob boss has been in hiding for over two decades. Last month, the Indian government nabbed his former aide-turned-rival Chhota Rajan in Bali. The arrest is believed to be part of a strategy to catch Ibrahim.