Seven illegal structures allegedly belonging to Dawood Ibrahim -- the prime accused in 1993 Mumbai blasts -- that were constructed on Central Public Work Department's land at Crawford market in South Mumbai, were demolished by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Saturday.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Dr Kishor Shirsagar said that the seven structures constructed around the twin shopping complexes named 'Sara Sahara' at Crawford market, also known as Munim market, were demolished within five hours today.
However, the Sara Sahara complexes were not demolished because the defence has an application, which is still pending in the Bombay High Court. Only after the disposal of that application will the Corporation
take appropriate action.
The complex having 350-odd galas and godown was constructed in the year 2001. The shopping centres had come under focus when Dawood's henchmen Abdul Rehman Shaikh and Abdul Sattar were arrested for having forcibly evicted a woman from her hut located at the entrance of Sara Shopping Centre.
During the interrogation they had revealed that the twin complex was built up on behest of Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar. They were also accused of helping Dawood's gang in routing its illegitimate income into the real estate. Their modus operandi was to acquire old buildings and convert them into shopping malls.
Image: BMC bulldozers pulling down one of the complexes allegedly owned by underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Mumbai on Saturday, July 29, 2006.
Photograph: SM/Saab Pictures