Among these assets is the childhood home of Dawood Ibrahim in Mumbake village, which holds historical significance as his birthplace and early residence. Expected to grace the auction is lawyer and former Shiv Sena member Ajay Srivastava, a frequent bidder on Ibrahim’s properties. Srivastava eyes the acquisition of Dawood’s ancestral home, intending to convert it into a Sanatan Pathshala (school) and has a track record of successfully bidding on three of the terrorist’s properties in the past.
This auction rekindles memories of previous endeavors to auction off Ibrahim’s holdings. The first, dating back to 2000, witnessed a significant event, yet no participants appeared, largely due to apprehension surrounding the notorious figure. Similarly, in 2020, six properties, including Ibrahim’s childhood home, went up for auction, while in 2017, three luxurious properties in South Delhi, including a hotel, were also auctioned by the government.
Amidst this, reports about Ibrahim’s health emerged recently, suggesting a rush to a Karachi hospital after alleged poisoning. However, Pakistan authorities neither confirmed nor denied these reports. His close aide Chhota Shakeel dismissed these claims, affirming Ibrahim’s robust health at “1000 per cent.”
The imminent auction of Ibrahim’s ancestral properties attests to the government’s relentless pursuit under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators Act, 1976, to liquidate assets tied to the underworld don. Despite uncertainties surrounding the bidders, Srivastava stands resolute, echoing his intent to acquire Dawood’s childhood abode for a transformative educational initiative.
Adding a different perspective, former journalist S Balakrishnan, dissatisfied with the upcoming auction, criticized the insignificance of the ₹19 lakh reserve price, contending it as negligible for someone like Dawood Ibrahim. He reminisced about his own bid for a restaurant owned by the don in 2015, expressing disappointment over losing the property due to a missed deposit deadline, despite public support and pleas for an extension.This auction, therefore, not only signifies a government effort to liquidate assets tied to a notorious figure but also reflects the varied sentiments and endeavors of individuals attempting to influence the fate of these properties. As Friday approaches, anticipation surrounds the bidding process and its potential outcomes for these historically charged properties.