Summary
"Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia" is a comprehensive chronicle of the Mumbai underworld, tracing its evolution from the 1950s to the early 2010s. The book begins by painting a picture of Bombay in the fifties, a city of dreams that attracted people from all over India. It introduces early figures like Nanhe Khan and Ibrahim Dada, highlighting the emergence of gangs and their initial criminal activities, such as robberies and turf wars.
The narrative then moves towards the rise of key figures like Haji Mastan, a smuggler who forms an alliance with Varadarajan Mudaliar, a mobster known for his muscle power. The alliance between Mastan and Mudaliar marks a significant shift in the dynamics of the Mumbai underworld, with their combined influence spreading across different regions of the city.
A significant portion of the book is dedicated to Dawood Ibrahim, chronicling his journey from a small-time hoodlum in Dongri to becoming India's most wanted man. It details his early life, his family, and the events that led him to a life of crime. The book also covers Dawood's role in the 1993 Bombay bombings, his escape to Dubai, and his subsequent activities in Pakistan.
The text delves into Dawood's relationships with other key figures in the underworld, including Chhota Rajan and Chhota Shakeel. It explores the power struggles, betrayals, and alliances that shaped the landscape of organized crime in Mumbai. It further unveils Dawood's nexus with Bollywood and his influence in the film industry, as well as his involvement in various illicit activities such as drug trafficking and arms smuggling.
The book also sheds light on the changing dynamics of the Mumbai police force, their strategies for combating organized crime, and the controversies surrounding police encounters. It further discusses the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in bringing Dawood Ibrahim to justice, given his vast network of influence and his safe haven in Pakistan.
Later chapters of the book address the increasing fragmentation of the underworld, the emergence of new players, and the attempts by Dawood's rivals to challenge his supremacy. It discusses the 9/11 attacks and their impact on Dawood's operations, as well as the efforts by international agencies to target his financial networks.
In the concluding chapters, the book addresses the failed attempts to bring Dawood Ibrahim to justice. It details the legal and diplomatic challenges, as well as the political factors that have hindered efforts to extradite him to India. It also explores the reasons behind Dawood's continuing influence in the underworld, despite his status as a global terrorist.
"Dongri to Dubai" also presents a wide-ranging view on the social and political aspects of crime in India, making it an important text for comprehending the complicated linkages between power, money, and violence.