New Delhi: Underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, who turns 60 this Saturday, is believed to be in plans to hand over the reins of his $10 billion D-company, reports suggest.
Dawood, who has been one of the most wanted fugitives for Indian intelligence agencies, is rumoured to have finally decided to call it a day. Dawood established D-company which became a multinational empire of drugs, betting, hawala, and arms smuggling.
Reports suggest that there is a big bash that has been organised on the occasion of the gangster's birthday. The location, though unknown, is expected to be either in Pakistan or in Dubai. All associated are said to have been issued coded invitations for the gala event.
Amid the so-called festivities being planned, the question doing the rounds is over who takes over the mantle of the D-company from Dawood after his retirement. If reports are to be believed, the front-runners include Dawood's younger brother Anees Ibrahim and his most trusted aide Chhota Shakeel.
Both Anees and Shakeel are looking into the arrangements that are being made for the party. It is here that Dawood may announce his plans.
While speculation is rife on who takes the helm, the new boss could only look into day-to-day affairs of the D-company and continue to report to Dawood. The gangster is likely to remain active in the gang for at least a couple of years more and help in the transition.
There are also reports that Dawood may divide his illicit empire between Anees Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel. Anees may be handed the reins of the drugs, hawala and fake currency business. He will be helped by Iqbal Mirchi and Tiger Memon who look after Dawood's business in Europe and Africa.
Dawood's trusted aide Chhota Shakeel, on the other hand, may end up looking after the extortion and betting racquet of the company.
Dawood, who is said to be suffering from various ailments, now wants to spend more time with his family. It is under these circumstances that the don has decided to retire from the active daily responsibilities of the company.
How these rumours pan out are whether they are true at all or not will only be clear in coming days. However, talk of the dreaded fugitive gangster celebrating his birthday in such a grand fashion has got tongues wagging.
His succession plans as well as his successor are sure to evince the same – if not greater - interest in the days to come too.
