Author: Josy Joseph
Publication: The Times of India
Date: January 11, 2005
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/986707.cms?headline=Dawood~Ibrahim~returns~to~his~Karachi~base
Underworld don Dawood Ibrahim is
back in Karachi and is residing in his palatial residence in the port city
under Pakistan's protection, latest reports say.
Dawood is also reported to be maintaining
very cordial relations with a former Pakistani cricketer known for his
exploits and short-temper on field.
Latest inputs from the port city
say the don is back in the fortified Moin Palace in defence area Clifton,
protected by Rangers, Pakistan's paramilitary force.
Not only is India's most wanted
criminal back to his Karachi base, but also continues to live a flamboyant
lifestyle. The house has a waterfall, tennis court, temperature-controlled
swimming pool and a jogging track, New Delhi has been told.
The D-company boss, wanted in the
1993 Mumbai blasts and declared a global terrorist by the United States,
wears a Cartier diamond studded watch worth over Rs 25 lakh, smokes Treasurer
cigarettes, wears Masorati sunglasses and signs with a diamond studded
pen that is worth a few lakh rupees, inputs say.
He presently travels in a Mercedes-500
series car and is provided escort by Rangers even while traveling around.
Pakistan has always maintained that
Dawood Ibrahim, whose repatriation to India is among the most contentious
issues between the two nations, is not residing on its territory.
The former cricketer with whom Dawood
has close links is the son-in-law of a leading business family of Pakistan
in whose businesses Dawood is believed to have invested heavily, reports
say.
Dawood's three daughters and son
stay with him in the same compound and continue to study in Karachi itself.
Among the regular visitors to Dawood's
residence in recent times are Chhota Shakeel, Chhota Dawood, Ali Mama,
Riaz Khatri and some Pakistani politicians and officials.
Anees and Noora, Dawood's brothers,
also live in the same locality. In fact Noora's house is just behind that
of Anees, reports with the government say.
Humayun, another brother of Dawood,
is a drug addict and is now believed to be under medication for de-addiction.
An official here say the latest
report, based on concrete inputs, contradicts Pakistani claims and leaves
no doubt that Pakistan is providing state support to Dawood.
