D-Company still has a strong grip on Mumbai real estate

Gangster Dawood Ibrahim’s involvement in several redevelopment projects across Mumbai has come to light following a detailed investigation by The Hindu into the city’s underworld.

Officials who have kept a close watch on his gang say the syndicate has a highly organised system of controlling, extorting money from or taking part in many of the redevelopment projects. Technical surveillance done by Indian agencies gives credence to the statement. On rare occasions, when Indian agencies have been able to zero in on Dawood Ibrahim’s activities, there have been strong hints of his interests in the construction business — in both Mumbai and the UAE. One of Dawood’s associates told him in May 2013 that he had given 2 million (it is not clear if it is rupees or dollars) to someone after completing the documentation. The associate talks about one Abbas Bhai who has opened a real estate business in Mumbai. In turn, Dawood tells him that he has ceased his previous partnership and has now tied up with one Abid Bhai.

In a series of phone calls in early 2013, the Pakistan-based Dawood carried out detailed discussions on property purchases in Mumbai. India’s most wanted criminal told one of his UAE associates not to buy property in a particular locality.

Read full story: D-Company still has a strong grip on Mumbai real estate