India has a long and a complex history of crime, ranging from minor theft and dacoits to the best sophisticated mafia syndicates. This operates across international borders. Among the most infamous figures are underworld dons like Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Rajan, and Arun Gawli,. There influence extended beyond the streets of Mumbai into politics, hindi cinema (Bollywood), and a global criminal networks. Alongside these mafia dons, there are also local strongmen, bandits, and structured gangs, who shaped the narrative of crime in different regions of the country.
This article explores
the main criminals in India and their rise to power, networks, and lasting
impact on law enforcement and a society.
Early
Criminal Traditions in India
Before the rise of the
modern criminal, India faced threats from bandits and dacoits.
(like Phoolan Devi, the “Bandit Queen,” and Veerappan,
the sandalwood(chandan) smuggler
from the forest of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka which capture national headlines.
These information reflects the older form of Indian crime roots in rural
poverty, rebellion, and survival.
However, by the mid of 20th
century, crime in India transform with urbanization and global trade, and
Mumbai emerge as the core of organize crime, giving birth to the legendary
mafia dons.
The Mumbai Underworld: Cradle of Indian Mafia
Mumbai, the India’s financial capital, and became
the core of organized crime due to its ports, wealth, and sprawling slums.
· Haji Mastan (Smuggling King)
One of the early dons, Haji Mastan control over gold
smuggling and became a symbol of style and a power. He later ventures into a
film financing and a politics.
·
Karim
Lala (Pathan Gang Leader)
An Afghan based gangster who dominates in a gambling dens, extortion, and money
laundering in a Mumbai city.
·
Varadarajan
Mudaliar (Varada Bhai)
A Tamil based don who rule on a dockside smuggling
and became the part of Mumbai mafia “triumvirate”
along with Haji Mastan and Karim Lala.
Together, these three mafias lay the foundation of the Mumbai underworld, opening doors for Dawood Ibrahim.
Dawood Ibrahim: The Global Face of Indian Crime
The most infamous criminal in India, Dawood Ibrahim started his life and
criminal career from Dongri, Mumbai, and lead the most powerful mafia company
called D-Company. His empire span
smuggling, extortion, and drug trafficking, and international money laundering (Hawala). Dawood Ibrahim is also accuse for masterminding the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts, and making him
Indias most wanted criminal and
terrorist.
Operating from abroad, reportedly in uae or Karachi, Dawood Ibrahim network became global, linking with cartel in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. His partners in crime like Chota Shakeel, Abu Salem, Tiger Memon, and Iqbal Mirchi further expanded Dawood Ibrahim criminal empire.
Chhota Rajan: From Ally to Rival
Once a Dawood Ibrahim loyal lieutenant, Chhota Rajan broke away after the 1993 blasts, claim to be a “nationalist don” who would not harm any Indian. This spark a deadly rivalry between chota rajan and dawood Ibrahim , leading to shootouts and assassinations in Mumbai and abroad. Chota Rajan was finally arrested in 2015 and gets back to India, marking the end of one of Mumbai India most feared gangster.
Arun Gawli: The Don Who Became a Politician
Known as a “Daddy”,
Arun Gawli started his life and
crime from the streets of Byculla south Mumbai to become a feared gangster, unlike
Dawood Ibrahim and chota
Rajan, arun Gawli built his empire on local extortion and murders. He
later entered into politics, and even serve as a (MLA) in Maharashtra. His journey
symbolizes the criminal politician nexus in India.
Abu Salem and Bollywood Mafia Links
Another criminal, Abu Salem, worked under Dawood
Ibrahim before becoming a powerful gangster himself. He was involved in a Bollywood
extortion rackets, and threatening actors and producers. Abu Salem romantically involved with actress Monica Bedi made him a sensation. Arrested and extradited from
Portugal, he remains in an Indian custody today.
Regional Mafia and Criminals in India
While Mumbai remains the mafias capital, other
regions also produced infamous criminals:
·
Veerappan
(Forest Bandit)
Smuggled sandalwood (Chandan) and ivory, kidnapped
politicians, and terrorize southern India until killed in 2004.
·
Mukhtar
Ansari (UP Don)
Local don from Uttar Pradesh whose linked to gang
wars and a politics.
·
Brijesh
Singh (Eastern UP Don)
Main competitors to Mukhtar Ansari, involved in
organize crime and building mafias.
·
Vikas
Dubey (Kanpur Don)
His violent surprise attack of police in 2020 made
headlines before he was killed in an encounter.
·
Lawrence
Bishnoi (Punjab Gang Leader)
A modern day gangster, who’s infamous for extortion
and linked to high profile killings, and also giving threats to salman khan
(famous actor).
Types of Mafia in India
The rise of criminals in India has also led to the
formation of specialized mafias:
·
Land
Mafia: illegitimate land grabbing and real estate frauds.
·
Sand
Mafia: Illegal mining of sand mostly in states like Tamil
Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
·
Mining
Mafia: Coal and iron mafias control billions in unlawful
profits.
·
Bollywood
Mafia: Extortion and financing link to the film industry.
·
Drug
Mafia: Punjab and coastal states is hub for narcotics
smuggling.
Law Enforcement and Crackdowns
Indian police have launched several encounter operations against criminals. The rise of the “encounter specialist” in Mumbai during the 1990s destabilized many mafias. Agencies like the CBI, NIA, and Interpol continue to hunt international dons like Dawood Ibrahim.
Legacy of Crime in India
Criminals in India, from Haji Mastan to Dawood
Ibrahim, Arun Gawli to Vikas Dubey, reflect that the countrys
struggle against mafias groups. They shaped the history of Indian mafias, and influenced
politics, and even distorted Bollywood culture.
Conclusion
The story of criminals in India is not just about individual dons its about a group of mafias, corruption, and a power struggles. From Mumbai underworld mafia to Uttar Pradesh strongmen and Punjabi gangs, the Indian mafia has left mark on a society.
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