In a significant development, Dawood Ibrahim’s ancestral plots in Mumbake village, Khed taluka, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, have been sold after nearly a decade of failed auctions. 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, having been rejected in previous auctions in 2017, 2020, 2024, and November 2025. The successful bidder is required to deposit full payment by April 2026 to finalize the ownership transfer.
Dawood Ibrahim, who is believed to be in Karachi, Pakistan, remains India’s most wanted fugitive and terror suspect. His notoriety is underscored by the 1993 Mumbai bombings, which he orchestrated, resulting in the deaths of 257 people and injuries to over 700 others.
Despite the clear titles and government backing of these parcels, the stigma attached to Ibrahim’s name has historically deterred potential buyers. An official remarked, “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.”
In a related cultural context, the character ‘Bade Sahab’ from the film Dhurandhar: The Revenge is inspired by Ibrahim. Danish Iqbal, who portrays the character, noted, “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 cast including Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt, and the character ‘Bade Sahab’ is depicted as an influential figure operating from the shadows, reflecting the gravity and authority associated with Ibrahim.
As the sale of Ibrahim’s properties unfolds, reactions from various quarters are expected, particularly concerning the implications for ongoing investigations and the broader narrative surrounding organized crime in India. The successful auction could signal a shift in how properties linked to notorious figures are handled in the future.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the buyer’s plans for the land and any potential developments that may arise from this sale.