Saturday, March 29, 2025
Mumbai: March 19, 2026
The reign of terror associated with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and the fear linked to his name are gradually being buried under government action. After a long span of nearly three and a half decades and several failed attempts, a buyer has finally been found for Dawood’s four ancestral properties located in Ratnagiri. The auction, conducted by the Central Government under the SAFEMA (Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators Act), has once again captured the nation’s attention.
These four agricultural plots are situated in Mumbake village of Khed Taluka in Ratnagiri district, which is considered Dawood’s ancestral village. Interestingly, most of these lands were registered in the name of Dawood’s mother, Amina Bi. For the past several years, the government had been trying to sell these lands, but due to the dread of the ‘D-Company’ and legal disputes surrounding the properties, no bidder dared to come forward. Even in November 2025, the auction remained unsuccessful despite a 30% reduction in prices.
However, this time, a bidder from Mumbai showed courage and placed the highest bid for all four plots. The center of attraction in the auction was Survey No. 442, which had a reserve price of ₹9.41 lakh but received a winning bid of over ₹10 lakh. A competition for this specific plot was witnessed between two buyers from Mumbai and Ratnagiri. For the remaining three plots, only one bidder was in the fray, who acquired them after fulfilling all conditions.
All these lands were seized in the 1990s following the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. Previously, Delhi-based lawyer Ajay Srivastava had also made headlines by purchasing some of Dawood’s properties, but that matter remains pending in court due to legal hurdles in obtaining possession. It remains to be seen whether the new buyer will be able to get possession of these properties easily following this fresh auction. For now, this auction is being viewed as a major victory for the government over the underworld empire.
