The underworld in India has undergone some major changes over the decades. Over time, some individuals have gotten themselves into trouble over time through crime, gang conflicts, and, in the media, from the smuggling era in the 60s in Mumbai to the modern-day organised crime syndicate. This list is not a glorification list; it’s about the notabilities.
20 Famous Indian Gangsters
1. Dawood Ibrahim – One of India’s most notorious underworld figures, Dawood Ibrahim is associated with the D-Company and has been linked by Indian authorities to organised crime and terrorism.
2. Chhota Rajan – Once associated with Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Rajan later became his major rival in Mumbai’s underworld.
3. Chhota Shakeel – He is an old boy of D-Company and has been suspected of being a member of the organised crime and extortion gangs.
4. Arun Gawli – Dubbed “Daddy”, Gawli hailed from the underworld of Mumbai and then went on to make a political career.
5. Haji Mastan – A well-known underworld personality from Mumbai, mainly known for smuggling in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
6. Karim Lala – One of Mumbai’s influential early crime bosses, Karim Lala was associated with smuggling and organised crime.
7. Varadarajan Mudaliar – Popularly known as Vardha Bhai, he was an important figure in Mumbai’s organised-crime history.
8. Abu Salem – A powerful underworld figure who was extradited to India from Portugal in 2005 and is tied to the D-Company.
9. Ravi Pujari – Pujari made threats and extortion calls both within and outside India.
10. Bada Rajan – A well-known gangster from Mumbai who had an impact on the gang life of the city in the 1970s and 1980s.
11. Amar Naik – A major gangland leader who got embroiled in violent conflicts with other groups in Mumbai.
12. Ashwin Naik – Brother of Amar Naik, tied up with the Naik gang and organised crime.
13. Ejaz Lakdawala – A Mumbai underworld figure associated with extortion and organised criminal activities.
14. Maya Dolas – A notorious gangster from Mumbai who went on to produce a lot of movies and popular news about him.
15. Manya Surve – One of the popular names of the 1970s Mumbai gangsters, remembered especially for his demise in a police encounter in 1982.
16. Rama Naik – One of the big guns in the Mumbai underworld, who was linked to Arun Gawli’s early underworld network.
17. Lawrence Bishnoi – A modern-day crime figure whose alleged network has been connected by the authorities with other serious crimes such as extortion.
18. Goldy Brar – Associated by Indian law-enforcement agencies with the Bishnoi network and investigations into high-profile criminal cases.
19. Ali Baba Budesh – An underworld figure known for extortion activities and reported links to Mumbai’s criminal networks.
20. Munna Shukla – A notorious figure from Bihar whose story reflects the historical overlap between organised crime and local politics.
What Makes India’s Underworld History So Notable?
What is of interest in this history is the evolution of organised crime. The earlier gangs were very much involved in smuggling, gambling and territorial aspects, whereas the newer gangs have become wider and more complex and have international links.
I am quite fascinated by the older Mumbai underworld as it has left its mark on many Indian movies and crime stories. The impact in real life was much more devastating than the roles they played in cinema.
It is important to note that these people became recognised because they are or were involved in criminal activities, rather than for their lifestyles themselves. A study of their stories, however, will give us greater insight into the evolving nature of crime in India, the policing problems of the country, and the long struggle against organised crime.
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