First man who bought Dawood's property still waiting 14 years later

Delhi lawyer Ajay Shrivastava, had bought Dawood Ibrahim's industrial unit in 2001 but is yet to get possession; he will bid for the Pakmodia St hotel on December 9

On December 9, Rounaq Afroz, the hotel in Pakmodia Street, belonging to India’s most wanted man will be auctioned. One of the names amongst the bidders is a familiar one, Delhi-based lawyer Ajay Shrivastava. In 2001, he had won in an auction, an industrial unit belonging to Dawood Ibrahim, for Rs 2.50 lakh. However, almost 14 years to the bid, he is yet to get possession, because Dawood’s sister Hasina Parkar had challenged it and on December 18, the case is again up for hearing in the Small Causes court.

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Shrivastava said that by buying Dawood’s property he is trying to show that no one is above the country and its law.

Shrivastava visited hotel Rounaq Afroz on Thursday, when inspection was allowed for the interested parties. He claims that the same hotel was up for auction in 2001 and then the reserve price was R6 lakh. Now the auction is being held for a reserve price of Rs 1.18 crore.

“I was the only bidder for the industrial unit said to be located in Tardeo division, but which is in Nagpada, belonging to Dawood. While all documents were made in my name, I never got the possession, as first it was challenged by Parkar and now post her death by her kids. The next hearing after I won the case in 2010 in the city civil court, is being held on December 18 at the Small Causes court,” said Shrivastava.

On Thursday, Shrivastava claims that he was upset with the officers who took them for the inspection, as they didn’t open the hotel. “We asked them to show the inside of the hotel, but they said they cannot do that. We are going to invest Rs 1.18 crore and have to put an Earnest Money Deposit of R30 lakh for participating in the auction, but weren’t allowed to have a look inside it,” he further added.

Also read: Dawood's deal - Most wanted man's buildings are most wanted property

According to Shrivastava, the other hurdle he faces when buying property belonging to Dawood, is that banks, on hearing the gangster’s name do not give loans. “When auctioning property, the government should see to it that banks give loans to people buying such huge property,” he said.

A senior officer working under Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulator’s Act (SAFEMA), claimed that this is the first time they are auctioning the property, and cannot comment on anything that had happened earlier, but assured that bidders won’t face any problem.

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