According to sources speaking with India Today TV, the individual who made a bid of Rs 2 crore for Dawood Ibrahim's ancestral plot, originally priced at Rs 15,440, has not fulfilled the initial 25 percent payment installment, raising concerns over the auction process.
In an interview with India Today TV, the bidder, identified as Ajay Shrivastava from Delhi, admitted to the delay in payment and revealed that he had requested an extension from the authorities to secure the necessary funds.
The parcel of land in question was part of four ancestral properties owned by Dawood Ibrahim, auctioned by the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Authority (SAFEMA) on January 5.
Ajay Shrivastava, who bid Rs 2.01 crore for the property, also emerged as the winning bidder for another piece of land.
However, Advocate Bhupendra Kumar Bhardwaj, the second-highest bidder, has filed a complaint with SAFEMA, arguing that he should be awarded the property since Shrivastava failed to meet the payment deadline.
Bhardwaj emphasized that according to auction regulations, the initial payment of 25 percent must be made within a specified timeframe, which Shrivastava has not fulfilled. Therefore, he believes the property should be transferred to him.
Expressing frustration, Bhardwaj criticized Shrivastava for causing delays and wasting SAFEMA's time. He stressed that if he were in a similar situation after being awarded the property, he would expect the same consequences.
Responding to the allegations, Ajay Shrivastava explained that he requested an extension from SAFEMA due to the substantial amount involved, which required time to arrange. He assured that once the funds were secured, the payment would be made promptly. Additionally, he mentioned that payment for the second plot he acquired at the auction has already been completed, with the remaining formalities to be settled next week.
The disputed property, the smallest among Dawood Ibrahim's ancestral holdings, is located in Mumbke village, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, the birthplace of the infamous figure.
It's worth noting that SAFEMA attached these properties as part of legal proceedings related to smuggling and violations of the NDPS Act against Dawood Ibrahim and his family, specifically owned by his mother, Amina Bi.
