3 of Dawood Ibrahim’s properties in South Mumbai auctioned for Rs 11.5 crore
The properties were put up for auction at a combined reserve price of Rs 5.54 crore, but fetched just over Rs 11.5 crore (Delhi Zaika restaurant, Picture Courtesy: Mayuresh Ganapatye)
Three properties belonging to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, put up for auction in Mumbai earlier today, were sold to the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) for over Rs 11.5 crore.
The properties were put up for auction under the provisions of the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act, 1976. The auction was held by a private firm at Indian Merchant Chamber in Churchgate today.
The properties, put up for auction at a combined reserve price of Rs 5.54 crore, include Shabnam Guest House, six rooms (Number 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 28) in Damarwala building and Hotel Raunaq Afroz (now known as Delhi Zaika).
All three are located near Bhindi Bazaar, Dawood’s stronghold during his smuggling days.
Rounaq Afroz restaurant was sold for Rs 4.53 crore, while the rooms in Damarwala building and Shabnam Guest House fetched Rs 3.53 crore and Rs 3.52 crore respectively. The SBUT made the highest bid for all three properties.
After the gangster fled India, his properties were seized under SAFEMA. However, despite repeated attempts, authorities were unable successfully auction his properties due to lack of bidder interest.
Back in 2015, journalist S Balakrishnan’s NGO ‘Desh Seva Samiti’ won the bid to purchase Rounaq Afroz restaurant, but the sale was forfeited after he failed to arrange the required funds in time.
In the coming days, other properties – including an industrial plot in Aurangabad, a flat in Mazgaon and tenancy rights in Dadriwala Chawl – will be put up for auction. The properties are reportedly owned by individuals involved in gold smuggling.
