In a significant development, Dawood Ibrahim’s ancestral agricultural plots in Mumbake village, Khed taluka, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, have finally found a buyer. The auction, held on March 5, 2026, marked the fifth attempt to sell these properties under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA).
A Mumbai-based bidder successfully acquired all four agricultural parcels, which had remained unsold for nine years due to various factors, including their location and the stigma attached to Ibrahim’s name. Previous attempts to auction these lands in 2017, 2020, 2024, and November 2025 had all ended in failure.
The successful bidder is required to deposit full payment by April 2026 to finalize the ownership transfer. An official commented on the situation, stating, “These parcels have clear titles and government backing, yet factors like their location and the stigma attached to Dawood Ibrahim’s name have historically discouraged buyers.”
Dawood Ibrahim, known as India’s most wanted fugitive and terror suspect, is believed to be residing in Karachi, Pakistan. His notoriety is further underscored by his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bombings, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 257 people and injured over 700 others.
In a related cultural context, the character ‘Bade Sahab’ in the film “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” is inspired by Dawood Ibrahim. Danish Iqbal, who plays this character, prepared for the role by observing elderly individuals in hospitals, noting, “I observed lots of old people and how they talk. I went to a couple of hospitals and visited a few relatives.”
The film features a star-studded cast, including Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt, and portrays the character as an influential figure who operates from the shadows. The character’s portrayal has been described as loosely inspired by real-life events linked to the 1993 Bombay blasts.
As the community reflects on this recent auction, it is a reminder of the complex legacy left by Ibrahim and the ongoing impact of his actions on society. The sale of these parcels may signal a shift in the perception of properties associated with notorious figures, but the historical context remains deeply rooted in the collective memory of the region.
While the auction marks a new chapter, the implications of Ibrahim’s past continue to resonate, leaving many to ponder the balance between commerce and the shadows of crime. The community’s response to this development will likely unfold in the coming weeks as the ownership transfer process begins.
