D-Company

D-Company

D-Company is a term coined by the media for the criminal organization and terrorist group headed by wanted terrorist leader and crime boss Dawood Ibrahim.

Other prominent members of the gang include Chhota Shakeel, Tiger Memon and Abu Salem, who is now in the custody of Indian police. It is closely linked to a range of organized criminal and terrorist activities in South Asia, especially in Mumbai, India, and the Persian Gulf region. Several members of the gang are on the "wanted list" of Interpol and Indian police. The reference to "company" in the name of the organization does not signify that it has a separate corporate identity. The organization has a history of rivalry with the Mumbai police (see Mumbai Encounter Squad) and other underworld dons such as Chota Rajan, Ejaz Lakdawala who was arrested in Canada in 2004 and Arun Gawli.

Contents

History

There are a number of allegations against the organization, such as that it generates billions of US dollars from illegal business activities around the globe, especially in India. The Indian government believes that Dawood Ibrahim and his associates fund and support terrorist activities in the country. According to Indian intelligence agencies, such as the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), D-Company financed the terrorist bombings in Mumbai which killed 257 people in 1993.[1] It is alleged that D-Company planned further terrorist attacks in Gujarat following the extensive riots and violence which occurred there in 2002. D-Company is alleged to run the largest underground business in South Asia. Its operations include arms trafficking, contract killing, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, extortion, and terrorism.[citation needed]

In 2011, Indian intelligence agencies managed to link D-Company with the 2G spectrum scam, through DB Realty and DB Etisalat (formerly Swan Telecom) promoted by Shahid Balwa. Later in March security at CBI headquarters in Delhi was tightened after it had been suggested that D-Company might launch an attack in an attempt to destroy documents relating to the ongoing probe of the 2G spectrum scam.[2][3][citation needed]

In popular culture

At times, D-Company has been linked to the Bollywood film industry, as well as real estate and betting businesses, from which it is said to derive considerable revenue. The 2002 film Company is based loosely on its activities, as well as its prequel, the 2005 film D, Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) and the 2010 film Once Upon a Time in Mumbai.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Akshay to play dreaded don Dawood?". Emirates247. March 07, 2011. http://www.emirates247.com/entertainment/films-music/akshay-to-play-dreaded-don-dawood-2011-03-07-1.364805. 
  2. ^ "2G: Dawood planning to attack CBI HQ?". Zee News. March 23, 2011,. http://www.zeenews.com/news695021.html. 
  3. ^ "Dawood threat to CBI over 2G probe?". The Times of India. Mar 23, 2011. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-23/india/29177758_1_swan-telecom-spectrum-scam-2g. 

External links

  • Flonnet.com, "'D' Company on the run?" FrontLine magazine report, volume 20, issue 04, February 15–28, 2003
  • HindustanTimes.com, Godfather III: The Terrorist
  • OutlookIndia.com, Indian Mafia, their Ties, Updates and Experts' Opinions
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