This Article is From Aug 16, 2013

Iqbal Mirchi: From small-time thief to D-gang's trusted man

Iqbal Mirchi: From small-time thief to D-gang's trusted man

The bungalow, near Haji Ali, owned by drug baron Iqbal Mirchi’s relative bears a deserted look

A trusted aide of India's most wanted gangster-turned-terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, Iqbal Memon aka Iqbal Mirchi, died of a heart attack in London late on Wednesday night. He was living with his two wives and two daughters in London.

Mirchi, who died in London, had repeatedly said that he wished to return to his motherland if the authorities had dropped their extradition claims.

The Mumbai police has not expressed any wish in bringing his body back to the city.

Mirchi, 63, was ranked by a United Nations report as among the top 50 drug barons. He was also established to play a substantial role in transnational betting, bookmaking and also was a key player in the IPL fixing scandal.

Mirchi also had 12 other cases registered against him in Mumbai - two of murder, three cases of attempt to murder, four cases of threatening and extortion and three under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

Entry into crime

Mirchi began as a small thief at the Mumbai docks and became close to Karim Lala and Vardarajan Mudaliyar.

He soon joined Dawood's gang and was awarded the moniker Mirchi.

After the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, in which he is also an accused, he fled the country.

An Interpol Red Corner Notice was issued against him and he was detained in 1998 in London but was released owing to lack of evidence before he could be deported.

Mirchi had a bungalow by the name of 'Angrezon ka bangla' in Bhopal. However, in 2001, the Customs and central excise officials attached his bungalow.

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