Dawood Ibrahim's Maharashtra plots finally auctioned after four failed attempts

Properties linked to fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district have finally been sold after several unsuccessful attempts over the years. The Central government conducted the auction on March 5, 2026, marking a significant breakthrough in disposing of assets tied to criminal activities.

The auction involved four agricultural plots located in Mumbake village in Ratnagiri. These lands were registered in the name of Ibrahim’s mother, Amina Bi, and had been seized under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA), which allows authorities to confiscate properties linked to smuggling and illicit wealth.

According to officials, two buyers emerged in the latest auction. One Mumbai-based individual secured a single plot, while another bidder acquired the remaining three parcels by quoting the highest prices. However, the identities of both buyers have not yet been disclosed.

Efforts to sell these properties had been ongoing for years, with auctions conducted in 2017, 2020, 2024 and 2025 failing to attract successful bids.

In some instances, there were no bidders at all, including a November 2025 attempt that drew no participation, underscoring the challenges in selling assets associated with controversial figures.

This time, authorities set varied reserve prices for the four plots, ranging from a few thousand rupees to over Rs 9 lakh.

One of the prime plots, which had a reserve price of approximately Rs 9.41 lakh, was eventually sold for more than Rs 10 lakh, indicating improved buyer interest.

Officials said the successful bidders are required to deposit the full payment by April 2026. The transaction will be finalised after receiving approval from the competent authority, following which ownership will be legally transferred.

The successful sale is being viewed as a key step in the government’s broader effort to liquidate properties linked to criminal networks.

After years of failed attempts, the auction signals progress in enforcing legal provisions aimed at dismantling illicit wealth and reclaiming such assets for lawful use.

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