Journo wins bid of Rs.4.28 cr to take over Dawood hotel

Mumbai: Amid suspense and reported threats, journalist-activist S Balakrishnan on Wednesday won the bid to take over ‘Delhi Zaika’ at Pakmodia Street, a hotel once owned by Dawood Ibrahim, the Karachi-based underworld don, here.

Balakrishnan, who is the founder of Desh Seva Samiti—an NGO—placed the highest bid of Rs 4.28 crore for the 500-sq feet property in South Mumbai. 

The second highest bid was of Rs 4.27 crore by the Dawood Bohra Trust. The starting bid was Rs 1.18 crore. 

The auction took place under the Smuggling and Foreign Exchange Manipulators Act, 1976 and Narcotic



Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (Prevention) Act, 1985,  at the Diplomat Hotel in Colaba. 

“In the auction, the property has gone in favour of Desh Seva Samiti....it’s a huge amount to be paid....with the support of patriotic people, this is not big,” he said adding for them the cost would be more as they are so far not aware of arrears of property tax, electricity bill and water charges. 

The properties include ‘Delhi Zaika’, previously known as Hotel Raunak Afroz, a green-coloured car (MH-04-AX-3676) and an around 350 sq-feet room in Mahavir Building in Matunga.