Published 15:12 IST, October 14th 2019
NCP-Dawood link: Here is everything that Dawood Ibrahim is involved in
Republic has unearthed an alleged link between the NCP's Praful Patel and the Dawood Ibrahim gang.Ibrahim has been accused of serious offences such as terrorism
- India News
- 3 min read
On Monday, Republic exclusively accessed the copy of a sale deed agreement which allegedly contains the signature of former Union Minister Praful Patel along with Asif Iqbal Memon alias Iqbal Mirchi, a key member of the Dawood Ibrahim gang. This document unmasks the alleged link between Patel, who is a top Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Iqbal Mirchi's deal on part of the Ceejay House property of Millenium Developers in Worli, Mumbai. It was purportedly signed in February 2007. This development comes at a juncture when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is cracking down on the movable and immovable assets of Ibrahim and his gang members.
Terrorism and match-fixing
Considered as a key figure in the Hawala network that operates in the Indian subcontinent, Ibrahim was also infamous for his alleged involvement in smuggling and gang wars. However, he gained notoriety when multiple blasts rocked Mumbai on March 12, 1993, killing 257 people and injuring more than 1400. Along with his close aides, he allegedly escaped to Pakistan around the same time. The prosecution accused him of being the mastermind of the blasts. Despite the Indian government’s persistent efforts, Pakistan has stonewalled any chance of trying to reach Ibrahim. In the meanwhile, he has been consistently linked to multiple terror organizations like the Lashkar-e-Toiba, which carried out several terror attacks in India over the years. One such prominent attack where Ibrahim has been accused of providing logistics is the 26/11 terror attack. However, the accusations against him go beyond terrorism and extend to his involvement in the international betting and match-fixing syndicate. This includes the 2000 match-fixing controversy and the 2013 Indian Premier League spot-fixing scandal.
Designated as a terrorist
Ibrahim is not just a fugitive for India, but also has been designated as a terrorist by the United States of America. US has alleged that he shared smuggling routes with the terror outfit Al Qaeda. According to the US authorities, he is involved in large-scale shipping of narcotics in the United Kingdom and other European countries. It is alleged that he was in touch with the Al-Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden. Reports suggest that he travelled to Afghanistan in the 1990s under the Taliban’s protection. The United Nations has also imposed sanctions on him. Under the recently amended Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, he has been officially declared a terrorist by India too.
Updated 15:57 IST, October 14th 2019