Three properties belonging to gangster Dawood Ibrahim have been auctioned for approximately Rs 11.5 crore. The Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) has emerged the highest bidder for three of the wanted gangster’s properties in South Mumbai, that were put up for auction by the Ministry of Finance on 14 November.
The SBUT, which is run by the Bohra community, has quoted an amount close to Rs 11.5 crore for all the three properties together, sources told The Quint.
The auction was carried out under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (SAFEMA) Forfeiture of Properties Act at the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Churchgate.
The Hotel Raunaq Afroz – also known as Delhi Zaika – Shabnam Guest House, and six rooms in the Damarwala building, on Pakmodia Street were put up for auction.
The auction was held in three forms: e-auction, public auction, and tenders.
Moneycontrol, citing industry reports, said that Hotel Rounaq Afroz was sold for Rs 4.53 crore. The Damarwala building was reportedly auctioned for Rs 3.53 crore, and the Shabnam Guest House’s winning bid was Rs 3.52 crore. All three went to the Saifai Burhani Upliftment Trust(SBUT)
Meanwhile, the Indian Express repored that the SAFEMA office in South Mumbai was flooded with a number of prospective buyers, of which the Hindu Maha Sabha was a key-bidder. It also said that the prospective bidders were allowed to examine the properties that were up for sale, between 11 am and 1 pm last week.
This is the second time in two years that the ministry has attempted to auction off the properties of the man who is known to be the brains behind the 1993 Mumbai bombings.
The Appellate Tribunal for Forfeited Property, under the provisions of SAFEMA, had earlier dismissed 27 appeals from people claiming to be “long-term tenants” at the Damarwala Building and Shabnam Guesthouse, two of the three properties that were auctioned off, and accordingly cleared the government’s move to take it over.
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For security purposes, the authority administering the auction under SAFEMA had written to the Marine Drive police seeking protection. As a result, police forces were deployed in and around the auction venue, Kelachand Conference room, IMC building at Churchgate.
More details are awaited.
(With inputs from ANI, Indian Express and MoneyControl)
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(This is a developing story and will be updated.)
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