Lucknow: The Lawn session at Metaphor LitFest featured former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria in conversation with journalist and editor Sathya Saran, as they discussed Maria’s book When It All Began and his remarkable career spent at the frontlines of India’s criminal investigations.
During the session, Maria offered gripping insights into the evolution of Mumbai’s underworld, tracing its journey from the era of Haji Mastan, Varadarajan Mudaliar and Karim Lala to the rise of Dawood Ibrahim and the intense gang rivalries that reshaped the city. He recalled being assigned to ensure that Varadarajan did not return to Mumbai, the circumstances surrounding the gangster’s death, and the unexpected visit by Haji Mastan, who sought permission to bring back his friend’s body. That moment, Maria revealed, led to recorded conversations that provided rare insight into the underworld’s internal workings.
Maria also spoke about his interactions with several key figures of the time, including the Pathan gang led by Alamzeb and Shehzada, Dawood’s associates, and constable Ibrahim Kaskar—Dawood’s father—who emerged as an unlikely intermediary between law enforcement and criminal networks. He reflected on pivotal moments such as Mumbai Police’s first-ever encounter killing in 1982 and the arrest of Charles Sobhraj in 1986, events that significantly altered the balance of power within the underworld.
The discussion shed light on the complex culture of trust, rivalry and supari killings, as well as early peace pacts forged between gang leaders. Maria explained how the betrayal between Haji Mastan and Yusuf Patel led to Mumbai’s first major contract killing, marking a turning point in the city’s crime history.
Delving into lesser-known aspects, Maria spoke about the spiritual beliefs that influenced several gangsters, including Dawood Ibrahim’s visits to pirs and prophecies associated with his rise. He highlighted how faith, fear and power often intersected in shaping decisions within the criminal world.
In one particularly riveting account, Maria narrated how hitman Munna Bhawarlal Gupta befriended a dog’s handler over several months to gain access to Majid’s residence—an incident that went on to change the course of Mumbai’s gang wars.
The session concluded with Maria confirming that a film adaptation of his first book is currently in progress.
Marked by sharp insights, rare anecdotes and an insider’s understanding of crime and policing, Rakesh Maria’s conversation offered the audience a compelling and unforgettable glimpse into the hidden world that defined Mumbai for decades.
