Haji Mastan’s Daughter Appeals for Justice Amid Property Disputes

COURTKUTCHEHRY SPECIAL ON DON’S HAJI MASTAN’s FAMILY LEGAL TROUBLE

Haji Mastan’s Daughter Appeals for Justice Amid Property Disputes

Legacy of Mumbai’s first don resurfaces in family conflict

How Haji Mastan built a smuggling empire and shaped Bollywood’s underworld links

By Our Legal Reporter

New Delhi: December 23, 2025:

A new controversy has brought the name of Haji Mastan, Mumbai’s legendary underworld don, back into headlines. His daughter, Haseen Mastan Mirza, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for justice, alleging abuse and harassment in a property dispute. The case has reignited public interest in Mastan’s life, his criminal empire, and his enduring influence on Mumbai’s underworld and Bollywood.

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The Current Dispute

• Haseen Mastan Mirza claims she has been subjected to abuse and harassment over property matters.
• She has sought intervention from the highest levels of government, appealing directly to PM Modi and Amit Shah.
• The dispute highlights the complex legacy of underworld families, where wealth accumulated decades ago continues to spark conflicts among heirs.

Haji Mastan: The Rise of Mumbai’s First Don

• Early life: Born in 1926 in Tamil Nadu, Mastan Haider Mirza (popularly known as Haji Mastan) moved to Mumbai as a teenager and worked in small jobs before entering smuggling.
• Smuggling empire: By the 1960s and 70s, Mastan controlled gold and electronics smuggling through Mumbai docks and the Gujarat coast. He became one of the “infamous trio” of dons alongside Karim Lala and Varadarajan Mudaliar.
• Bollywood connections: Mastan financed films and developed close ties with actors and producers. His charisma and wealth made him a cultural icon, inspiring cinematic portrayals such as “Sultan Mirza” in Once Upon a Time in Mumbai.
• Business diversification: Beyond smuggling, Mastan invested in real estate and legitimate businesses, cementing his reputation as both a gangster and businessman.
• Political ambitions: Later in life, Mastan entered politics, founding the Bharatiya Minorities Suraksha Mahasangh, though his influence remained limited.

Criminal Empire and Influence

• Gold smuggling: Mastan’s fortune was built on smuggling gold during India’s restrictive “license raj” era.
• Dock control: He wielded power over Mumbai’s docks, ensuring shipments moved under his watch.
• Non-violent reputation: Unlike later dons, Mastan avoided narcotics and weapons smuggling, preferring business-like dealings.
• Underworld diplomacy: He acted as a mediator among gangs, maintaining peace between rival groups.
• Cultural impact: His lifestyle—white suits, imported cars, and film star friends—made him a symbol of glamour in the underworld.

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Legal and Social Significance of the Current Appeal

• Inheritance disputes: The case underscores how underworld wealth often leads to prolonged family conflicts.
• Women’s rights: Haseen Mastan’s appeal highlights the challenges women face in asserting property rights within patriarchal structures.
• Public interest: The involvement of PM Modi and Amit Shah reflects the seriousness of the allegations and the symbolic weight of Mastan’s legacy.

Comparison: Haji Mastan’s Era vs Today’s Underworld

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Broader Impact

• Cultural memory: Mastan remains a legendary figure in Mumbai’s history, symbolizing the glamour and danger of the underworld.
• Bollywood inspiration: His life continues to inspire films and books, shaping India’s popular imagination of gangsters.
• Legal lessons: The current dispute shows how criminal legacies complicate inheritance and justice decades later

Conclusion

The property dispute involving Haji Mastan’s daughter has revived interest in the life of Mumbai’s first don. Mastan’s empire, built on smuggling and glamour, continues to cast a shadow over his family decades after his death. As Haseen Mastan Mirza seeks justice from India’s top leaders, the case highlights both the enduring influence of underworld wealth and the challenges of resolving family conflicts rooted in criminal legacies.

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