Dawood Ibrahim, the orchestrator of the 1993 Bombay serial blasts that resulted in the loss of 257 lives, has long eluded public visibility and has become an elusive figure, rarely making appearances or statements. Speculation recently surfaced regarding Dawood's alleged hospitalization in Pakistan's Karachi due to severe health complications, accompanied by unverified reports of poisoning and demise, yet the veracity of these claims remains uncertain.
Dawood Ibrahim, India's most-wanted criminal linked to the aforementioned bombings in Mumbai, is an enigmatic figure deeply entrenched in the city's underworld for decades, with only scarce photographic evidence of his existence. Despite being a central figure in the Mumbai underworld, few have had the opportunity to engage with him directly.
The recent headlines regarding Dawood's health revived recurring rumors of his demise, a phenomenon exacerbated by his infrequent public appearances. The scarcity of encounters and statements from Dawood contributes to the persistent speculation surrounding his well-being.
In a rare interview with India Today Magazine in 1988, five years before the 1993 Bombay blasts, Dawood Ibrahim shed light on his perspective regarding the rising crime and killings in Mumbai. During this interview conducted in Dubai, where he resided at the time, Dawood addressed his businesses in the region, attempting to portray them as legitimate endeavors.
Reflecting on the 1993 Bombay blasts, the meticulously planned acts of terrorism were executed on March 12, claiming numerous lives and causing widespread injury. Dawood Ibrahim, the mastermind behind these attacks, sought retaliation for the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in December 1992, which had incited communal riots, particularly in Mumbai.
Dawood's involvement in the bombings led to his emergence as an international terrorist, and he subsequently fled India in 1986. His departure was prompted by his engagement in various criminal activities, including gold smuggling, real estate, extortion, and drug trafficking. Since then, reports suggest he has been residing in Dubai and later relocated to Pakistan, with both him and his accomplice, Tiger Memon, remaining at large.
In the 1988 interview, Dawood addressed the rampant gang-war-led violence in Mumbai during the 1980s, distancing himself from the killings and asserting his innocence. He claimed to be sitting in Dubai, emphasizing his lack of involvement and lamenting the convenient scapegoating by the police and the press.
During this period, Dawood also discussed his alleged gold-smuggling business, which was estimated to be a Rs 1,200-crore empire. In an attempt to project a clean image, he asserted that his businesses in Dubai, spanning trading, garments, real estate, and hotel operations, were legitimate. Expressing contentment with his financial situation, he asserted his desire to return to India, citing his roots, though he feared harassment from the authorities.
The interview from 1988 provides a rare glimpse into Dawood Ibrahim's perspective and attempts to shape a narrative that contrasts with the notorious criminal image attributed to him. Since that time, numerous reports have linked Dawood's D-company to various criminal activities, including killings and extortion, and he is reportedly based in Karachi, where his influence has been significantly diminished.
