In a significant development, Dawood Ibrahim’s ancestral agricultural plots in Mumbake village, Khed taluka, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, have finally found a buyer after nearly a decade of failed auctions. The auction took place on March 5, 2026, marking 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 held in 2017, 2020, 2024, and November 2025. The successful bidder is required to deposit the full payment by April 2026 to finalize the ownership transfer.
Dawood Ibrahim, who is believed to be in Karachi, Pakistan, is India’s most wanted fugitive and terror suspect, notorious for orchestrating the 1993 Mumbai bombings that killed 257 people and injured over 700. The stigma attached to his name has historically discouraged buyers, despite the parcels having clear titles and government backing.
According to an official, “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.” This statement underscores the challenges faced in selling properties linked to such a controversial figure.
Interestingly, the character ‘Bade Sahab’ in the film “Dhurandhar: The Revenge,” played by Danish Iqbal, is inspired by Dawood Ibrahim. Iqbal prepared for the role by observing elderly people in hospitals, stating, “I observed lots of old people and how they talk. I went to a couple of hospitals and visited a few relatives.”
In the film, ‘Bade Sahab’ is portrayed as an old, sickly man who commands respect and influences events from the shadows. Iqbal described the challenge of balancing the character’s power, aggression, and authority, saying, “The power, aggression and authority. You are sick, and at the same time, you have that gravity and authority so it was challenging to balance it all.”
The character’s portrayal appears to be loosely inspired by real-life events linked to the 1993 Bombay blasts, further intertwining the legacy of Dawood Ibrahim with contemporary narratives in Indian cinema.
As the auction results unfold, reactions from the public and officials are expected, reflecting the ongoing complexities surrounding Ibrahim’s legacy and the implications of this sale.