Mumbai: Former journalist S. Balakrishnan won the bid for fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar’s hotel Rounaq Afroz on the Pakmodia street in Bhendi Bazaar area of South Mumbai for Rs 4.28 crore at a public auction in a hotel on Wednesday.
However, it will take about 30 days to find out if Mr Balakrishnan can, with the help of general public, collect the huge amount to take possession of the property, which he plans to use for social activities.
Mr Balakrishnan told the press that he intended to use the one-plus structure to start an education centre where poor children would be provided free English language teaching and computer education. The place will also be used for the cause of women fighting for gender justice.
“The honour of our motherland has been upheld. I do not have the money but I am confident that the masses will help me collect the amount. I appeal to every Indian to contribute to this cause. They can reach us on our website www.deshsevasamiti.org where by clicking on ‘get involved’ tab they will get our phone numbers, email id and office address as well. We have a population of over 100 crore, even if they pay Rs1 we can contribute this amount. It is registered. Till this evening we have aggregated over Rs 1 lakh,” he said.
The competent authority had attached all the properties of Dawood under the Narcotics and Smugglers & Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Properties) Act 1976 cases. The bidding took place in three phases, including one which started around 11 am and ended around 12.30 pm at Hotel Diplomat in Colaba area.
