Untold stories of Mumbai underworld (1)
March 31, 2009
In front of Dawood Ibrahim's residence in Karachi, the lifeless body of Noor ul Haq, Dawood's youngest brother, was discovered, riddled with six bullet holes. Sardar Rehman, the abductor, took Noora's life when the demanded ransom went unpaid. For the first time, this incident showcased the vulnerabilities in the security apparatus of the Dawood empire, a criminal enterprise originated in the slums of Mumbai, thriving on activities such as kidnapping and smuggling, and later extended its reach to Dubai and Karachi.
December 18, 2023
News circulated across India and Pakistan, suggesting Dawood Ibrahim's poisoning, critical condition, or demise. However, intelligence agencies refuted these claims within 12 hours, affirming Dawood's safety under the protection of the notorious Pakistani spy agency, ISI. Any hospitalization was attributed to a mere health issue.
During the last 14 years, Dawood has secured himself in Karachi, demonstrating a learning curve from past mistakes. Facilitating the National Bank of Pakistan with a loan, Dawood found it convenient to influence the Pakistani government's spy agency, ISI, to safeguard his criminal empire. Until now, Dawood operated from Karachi, leveraging the funds procured through ISI connections.
The anticipation lingers for the downfall of Sheikh Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, the undisputed ruler of the underworld empire known as D Company....
The Gold Man
December 31, 1955
Havildar Ibrahim Kaskar of the Mumbai Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had a baby boy and christened him Dawood. He grew up in the streets of Mumbai, then a fertile ground for petty crimes and assaults. The dynamics of crime, poverty, and the urban landscape of Mumbai during that period have been central to the narratives surrounding the rise of the underworld in the city around a time when the metropolis was also swelling multidimensional.
The Havaldar's son grew beyond petty crimes in the underworld where Haji Mastan, Karim Lala, Varadaraja Mudaliar and the like were reigning supreme. His progression in Mumbai underworld was astounding.
He came to be under the mentorship of two small time dons - Amirzada Pathan and Alamzeb Pathan, both closely connected to the bigger don Karim Lala. This mentorship and training under the Pathan brothers contributed to Dawood's rise within the ranks of the criminal underworld beyond the 'A team' of Karim Lala to be in the don’s inner circle.
Eventually, Dawood decided to forge an independent path and establish his own team marked a pivotal moment in his criminal career. This move ultimately led to the formation of what would become the notorious D-Company, solidifying Dawood's status as a key player in organized crime, not only in Mumbai but on an international scale.
Dawood Ibrahim's criminal empire has indeed been linked to a diverse range of activities, both legitimate and illegal. The group has been implicated in organized crime, including activities such as smuggling, drug trafficking, extortion and murder-for-hire. A significant part of his illicit enterprises involved smuggling of gems and gold which earned him the tag of 'Gold Man'.
The first setback
The tumultuous dynamics within the Mumbai underworld came to the fore during the early 1980s. After Dawood's departure from the Karim Lala gang and the Pathan brothers, tensions escalated, leading to a series of retaliatory actions.
Dawood's elder brother Sabir was purportedly shot dead by the Pathans. This served as a catalyst for revenge. In the aftermath, Amirzada Pathan, the eldest of the Pathan brothers, met his demise. Retribution continued as Karim Lala sought revenge for Amirzada's death. The cycle of violence extended beyond the criminal underworld, drawing the attention of law enforcement as they attempted to quell the escalating conflicts.
Faced with mounting threats and the increasing crackdown by authorities, Dawood chose to seek refuge in Dubai, marking the beginning of his first exile. This period played a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of Dawood's criminal activities beyond the borders of India.
(The origin of the Mumbai underworld and its first don Ayub Lala in the next part)
