Successful Auction of Properties Linked to Fugitive Don Dawood Ibrahim in Maharashtra
In a significant development, Maharashtra has successfully auctioned properties linked to fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim after years of unsuccessful attempts. The auction, held on March 5, 2026, included four agricultural plots in Ratnagiri, previously registered under Ibrahim's mother. Despite previous failures, this auction saw two buyers emerge, indicating a renewed interest in these assets. The government views this sale as a crucial step in its efforts to eliminate properties associated with criminal activities and reclaim them for legitimate use. With successful bidders required to complete payments by April 2026, this auction marks a notable achievement in the ongoing battle against illicit wealth.
| Mar 19, 2026, 19:47 IST
Auction Marks a Significant Step in Asset Disposal
In Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, properties associated with fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim have finally been auctioned after several years of unsuccessful attempts. The central government conducted the auction on March 5, 2026, marking a notable achievement in the disposal of assets linked to criminal activities. The auction featured four agricultural plots located in the village of Mumbake, Ratnagiri. These lands were registered under the name of Ibrahim's mother, Amina Bi, and were seized under the Smuggling and Foreign Exchange Manipulation Act (SAFEMA), which grants authorities the power to confiscate properties related to smuggling and illicit funds.
Details of the Auction
According to officials, two buyers emerged in the latest auction. One individual from Mumbai acquired one plot, while another bidder secured the remaining three plots by placing the highest bid. However, the identities of both buyers have not yet been disclosed.
Previous Auction Attempts and Challenges
Efforts to sell these properties have been ongoing for years, with unsuccessful auctions held in 2017, 2020, 2024, and 2025. In some instances, there were no bidders at all, including a failed attempt in November 2025, highlighting the challenges in selling assets linked to controversial figures. This time, officials set different reserve prices for the four plots, ranging from a few thousand rupees to over 9 lakh rupees. One prominent plot, with a reserve price of approximately 9.41 lakh rupees, ultimately sold for over 10 lakh rupees, indicating a growing interest from buyers.
Previous Acquisitions and Legal Proceedings
Lawyer Bhupendra Bhardwaj had previously acquired pieces of Dawood Ibrahim's ancestral land through SAFEMA auctions, including plots with mango orchards. In early 2024, he completed the registration and performed rituals on the property located near the underworld don's ancestral bungalow. This property was acquired by Delhi-based lawyer Ajay Srivastava, who later transferred it to a trust. Srivastava had also won bids for two plots in 2024, one valued at 2.01 crore rupees, but failed to complete the payment, leading to the re-auction of those properties.
Future Steps and Government Efforts
Officials stated that successful bidders must complete their payments by April 2026. The transactions will be finalized upon receiving approval from the competent authority, after which legal ownership will be transferred. This successful sale is viewed as a significant step in the government's broader efforts to eliminate properties linked to criminal networks. Following years of failed attempts, this auction signifies progress in implementing legal provisions aimed at destroying illicit wealth and reclaiming such properties for legitimate use.