Top 10 Gangsters in India 2024 : Unveiling the Dark Side of the Underworld

Top 10 Gangsters in India 2024

In the vast and complex world of organized crime, India has been home to some of the most notorious gangsters whose lives have intertwined with politics, business, and the law. The story of India’s top gangsters is not just a tale of crime but also of power, influence, and survival in a ruthless underworld. While these criminals are often vilified in media, their stories are marked by audacity, charm, and a sense of invincibility that allowed them to rise from the darkest corners of society to create a significant mark on the national stage.

These gangsters didn’t just break the law; they bent the fabric of society to their will, manipulating everything from law enforcement to political circles. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the lives and legacies of the top 10 gangsters in India 2024, exploring their rise to power, their criminal activities, and their ultimate downfall or continuing reign.

But who are these infamous gangsters? And why do their names continue to haunt the streets of Indian cities even today? Keep reading to uncover the gripping stories of India’s most notorious criminals, from the infamous underworld dons to the ones who still run the show behind the scenes.

Top 10 Gangsters in India 2024

1. Dawood Ibrahim: The King of the Underworld

Dawood Ibrahim is undoubtedly the most infamous name in the world of Indian gangsters. Born in 1955 in Mumbai, Ibrahim’s criminal career began in the 1970s when he joined the ranks of small-time criminals before quickly rising through the ranks to take control of Mumbai’s underworld.

He went on to establish the D-Company, a criminal empire responsible for a wide array of illegal activities ranging from extortion, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, money laundering, and even terrorism. Dawood’s operations were not confined to India; they extended across the globe, making him one of the most wanted criminals worldwide.

His most infamous act was his alleged role in the 1993 Bombay bombings, a coordinated attack that killed over 250 people and injured hundreds. The bombings, which were carried out in retaliation for the destruction of the Babri Masjid, are one of the deadliest attacks in Indian history. Dawood’s ability to evade capture for decades has only added to his mystique.

Key Criminal Activities:

• Terrorism: Alleged connections to global terror networks.
• Smuggling: Major involvement in drug and arms trafficking, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
• Financial Crimes: Money laundering on a massive scale through his global business empire.

Dawood Ibrahim remains a fugitive, with the Indian government offering a substantial reward for his capture. He is known to be hiding in Pakistan, and despite numerous attempts by law enforcement agencies to capture him, he continues to evade justice.

2. Chhota Rajan: The Rival Who Rose to Power

Chhota Rajan, born in 1959, is another legendary name in India’s criminal world. Rajan was once a close associate of Dawood Ibrahim but broke away in the 1990s after a bitter feud. The gang war that followed between Rajan and Ibrahim was marked by violence, retaliation, and numerous murders.

Chhota Rajan’s rise to power came through his ability to extort money from businesspeople, politicians, and industrialists. His criminal empire was built on extortion, smuggling, and contract killings. Despite his falling out with Dawood, Rajan managed to build a reputation as a dangerous and ruthless criminal mastermind.

Key Criminal Activities:

• Extortion: He was infamous for his ability to extort money from businessmen, politicians, and celebrities.
• Murder: Several high-profile killings are attributed to his gang.
• Smuggling: Rajan’s group was involved in arms smuggling and drug trafficking.

After years of evading capture, Rajan was arrested in 2015 in Bali, Indonesia, and extradited to India. He is currently serving a life sentence for his criminal activities.

3. Arun Gawli: The Gangster Who Became a Politician

Born in 1962, Arun Gawli rose to prominence in the Mumbai underworld in the 1980s. Known as “Daddy” among his followers, Gawli’s criminal empire was built on extortion, land grabbing, and violence. Gawli’s story is unique because, unlike many other gangsters, he transitioned from a life of crime into a political career.

Gawli’s gang was involved in numerous criminal activities, including murder and kidnapping. However, what set him apart from other gangsters was his entry into politics. He formed his own political party, the Akhil Bharatiya Sena, and won a seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

Key Features of Gawli’s Career:

• Violence & Extortion: His gang was involved in multiple murders and illegal business activities.
• Political Influence: Gawli used his power and influence to protect his interests and expand his empire.
• Imprisonment: Despite his political success, Gawli was eventually imprisoned for the murder of a rival politician.

Gawli’s transformation from gangster to politician is a rare and intriguing aspect of his career. While he is currently serving time in prison, Gawli still commands a loyal following in Mumbai.

4. Vikas Dubey: The Infamous “Kanpur Don”

Vikas Dubey, born in 1970, became infamous for his brutal criminal activities in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Dubey’s rise to power came through his involvement in a wide range of criminal activities, including robbery, kidnapping, and murder. However, his notoriety escalated when his gang ambushed and killed eight police officers in the Bikeru encounter of 2020.

Dubey was known for his cunning and his ability to manipulate local politics to his advantage. Despite his violent criminal background, he was well-connected within the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh. Dubey’s empire was built on illegal land deals, extortion, and a reign of terror that lasted for years.

Dubey’s Rise and Fall:

• Murder & Robbery: Involved in numerous high-profile crimes, including the killing of police officers.
• Political Connections: Used his influence to protect himself from law enforcement.
• Bikeru Encounter: His gang’s deadly ambush of police officers marked the peak of his criminal reign.

Vikas Dubey was eventually killed in an encounter with the police while attempting to escape custody in 2020, marking the end of his reign of terror.

5. Abu Salem: The Smuggler with Global Connections

Abu Salem, born in 1969, is another criminal associated with the D-Company. Salem was responsible for smuggling weapons, drugs, and explosives, making him one of the most influential criminals in India. Salem was deeply involved in the 1993 Bombay bombings, and his links to global terror organizations were well-documented.

Salem’s smuggling operations spanned continents, with connections in the Middle East and Europe. His expertise in arms and drug trafficking made him a dangerous figure in the underworld.

Key Features of Abu Salem’s Career:

• Smuggling: Major player in arms and drug smuggling operations.
• Terrorism: Alleged involvement in terrorism, including the 1993 bombings.
• Extradition: Salem was arrested in Portugal and extradited to India in 2005.

Abu Salem remains imprisoned in India, where he faces multiple charges related to terrorism, arms smuggling, and organized crime.

6. Haji Mastan: The Pioneer of Mumbai’s Underworld

Haji Mastan, born in 1926, is regarded as the father of the Mumbai underworld. He was one of the first gangsters to control smuggling operations in the city. Mastan’s rise to prominence was largely based on his involvement in smuggling gold and other contraband items into India during the 1960s and 1970s.

Mastan’s success in smuggling made him a powerful figure in Mumbai’s criminal world. He was known for his charitable acts, often helping the poor and funding various social causes. Despite his criminal activities, Mastan was well-liked by many, and he was seen as a Robin Hood-like figure in some circles.

7. Manya Surve: The Gangster Who Challenged the System

Manya Surve, born in 1944, was one of Mumbai’s most feared gangsters in the 1970s. What made Surve stand out was his incredible resilience and his ability to challenge the existing underworld. Surve was not born into a criminal family but became a notorious figure due to his brutal rise in the world of crime. He was a man of intellect and charisma, which allowed him to build a powerful gang that engaged in murder, smuggling, and extortion.

Surve’s most infamous moment came when he attempted to take on the powerful D-Company, led by Dawood Ibrahim. He wasn’t just another criminal; he was a man who had aspirations of ruling Mumbai’s criminal underworld. His rivalry with the major gangs led to several violent clashes.

Key Activities:

• Murder: Surve was directly involved in several high-profile killings, including the murder of rival gang members and law enforcement officials.
• Smuggling: Surve used his gang to smuggle drugs and arms into Mumbai from abroad, becoming a key player in the underworld.
• Turf Wars: His gang fought against other criminal groups in violent turf wars, most notably with the D-Company.

Surve’s life came to an end in a police encounter in 1982. He was shot dead by Mumbai police while attempting to escape from custody, cementing his legacy as a key figure in the 1980s gangster wars.

8. Ravi Pujari: The Extortionist Who Became a Fugitive

Ravi Pujari, born in 1970, is known as one of Mumbai’s most feared extortionists. Pujari rose to power in the 1990s and was notorious for his brutal methods of extorting money from wealthy businessmen, celebrities, and even politicians. His style of crime was uniquely violent, and his name struck fear into the hearts of many across Mumbai.

Pujari’s career in crime started in a modest way, but he quickly gained prominence for his terror tactics. His gang was deeply involved in extortion, murder, and drug trafficking. The gangster’s extortion rings spanned across Bollywood, real estate, and the construction business.

Key Activities:

• Extortion: Pujari became infamous for demanding extortion money from businessmen, even threatening to kill or harm their families.
• Murder: His involvement in several murders, including the killing of rivals, made him one of the most dangerous criminals in Mumbai.
• Fugitive Status: After fleeing India in the 2000s, Pujari became a wanted fugitive and has managed to evade capture despite being one of India’s most wanted criminals.

Ravi Pujari remains a fugitive, and authorities continue to search for him, but his global connections have allowed him to operate from multiple countries, making it difficult for law enforcement to track him down.

9. Iqbal Mirchi: The Kingpin of Drugs and Extortion

Iqbal Mirchi, born in 1930, was a man whose name became synonymous with drugs, extortion, and illegal trade. He was one of the most influential figures in Mumbai’s criminal underworld during the 1980s and 1990s, and his name was linked to the global drug trade.

Mirchi’s criminal activities extended beyond India; he was known for smuggling huge amounts of heroin and cocaine from Afghanistan and Pakistan into Mumbai. His operations were so vast and well-connected that he gained a reputation as a key figure in the international drug trade. His criminal empire spanned multiple continents, and he was heavily involved in money laundering and extortion.

Key Activities:

• Drugs: Mirchi was a prominent figure in the global narcotics trade, with connections to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and even the Middle East.
• Extortion: His gang was known for extorting money from Bollywood personalities, businessmen, and others who feared his wrath.
• Property & Smuggling: He was also known for illegally acquiring properties and smuggling goods, often under the protection of powerful people.

Mirchi passed away in 2013 in London while in exile. His death marked the end of one of the most powerful criminal empires, but his legacy in the global drug trade continues to be felt today.

10. Ram Galiwala: The Smuggler with a Reach

Ram Galiwala, born in 1953, was an underworld don who controlled significant areas of Mumbai’s illicit business scene. Known for his involvement in smuggling, extortion, and money laundering, Galiwala’s gang was one of the most feared in the city. His rise to power was largely attributed to his connections in both the political and criminal worlds.

Galiwala was instrumental in the smuggling of goods like gold, drugs, and precious metals into Mumbai, where they were sold on the black market for massive profits. He was also involved in violent turf wars with other gangs, especially in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Key Activities:

• Smuggling: Galiwala was heavily involved in the smuggling of gold and drugs into India and across borders.
• Extortion: His gang was infamous for extorting money from businessmen and land developers in Mumbai.
• Money Laundering: Galiwala was known for laundering large sums of money through his legitimate businesses, which he used to fund his criminal empire.

After years of violent rule, Galiwala was eventually arrested and imprisoned, where he continues to serve his sentence for his crimes.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of India’s Top Gangsters

The world of India’s top gangsters is a complex web of crime, power, and influence. These individuals—Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Rajan, Arun Gawli, and others—have left their indelible marks on India’s criminal landscape, with their names evoking fear and intrigue across the nation. While some have fallen, either through violent means or due to law enforcement, their legacies continue to impact the world today.

These gangsters’ stories are not just about crime; they represent the shadows in which politics, business, and society intersect. The underworld is a reminder of how lawlessness can thrive when unchecked, and how the fight against organized crime is an ongoing battle that requires constant vigilance.

FAQs

Q1: Who is the most powerful gangster in India?

A1: Dawood Ibrahim is widely regarded as the most powerful gangster in India, with his influence extending globally through terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering.

Q2: What was Manya Surve’s biggest crime?

A2: Manya Surve was involved in several brutal turf wars, including one with Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company, and his most famous crime was being shot dead in a police encounter in 1982.

Q3: What made Ravi Pujari so dangerous?

A3: Ravi Pujari was notorious for his violent extortion tactics, targeting businessmen and celebrities, and his ability to operate globally as a fugitive.

Q4: How did Iqbal Mirchi make his fortune?

A4: Iqbal Mirchi made his fortune by being deeply involved in the international drug trade, smuggling heroin and cocaine, as well as extorting money from various sectors in India.

Q5: What happened to Ram Galiwala?

A5: Ram Galiwala was involved in smuggling and extortion in Mumbai until he was arrested and imprisoned for his criminal activities