Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Alleged Dawood Associate Arrested Over Mira-Bhayandar Bakery Shooting Case
Police arrested Akhtar Merchant at Delhi Airport.
They say he is connected to Dawood Ibrahim’s criminal network.
Merchant had been living in Vietnam and teaching English.
He came to India from Saudi Arabia through Nepal.
Police say he was wanted in eight criminal cases.
One case involved shots fired at a bakery in Mira-Bhayandar in 2023.
Investigators allege the shooting was linked to demands for money from trader Ismail Patel.
Police are questioning Merchant about the alleged extortion and gutkha-trade networks.
Akhtar Merchant was arrested at Delhi Airport last Monday over a 2023 firing case in Mira-Bhayandar.
Police say Merchant returned from Saudi Arabia through Nepal after working as an English trainer in Vietnam.
Investigators allege he was associated with Dawood Ibrahim’s network and helped expand extortion operations around Mumbai.
Police link Merchant to eight cases involving extortion, kidnapping, armed robbery, intimidation, dacoity and counterfeiting.
The bakery shooting allegedly followed unanswered demands for a share of trader Ismail Patel’s gutkha and pan masala profits.
- Who
- Akhtar Merchant was arrested by a special team of the Mira-Bhayandar-Vasai-Virar police.
- What
- He was arrested in connection with an alleged 2023 firing and extortion attempt at International Bakery.
- When
- Merchant was arrested last Monday; the alleged bakery shooting occurred in 2023.
- Where
- The arrest took place at Delhi Airport, while the alleged shooting occurred in Kashimira, Mira-Bhayandar, near Mumbai.
- Why
- Police allege Merchant organized the shooting after demands for a share of trader Ismail Patel’s profits went unanswered.
- Arrest location
- Delhi Airport
- Arresting agency
- Mira-Bhayandar-Vasai-Virar police
- Alleged incident
- Firing at International Bakery in 2023
- Alleged target
- Ismail Patel, also known as Babu and locally called the “Gutkha King”
- Reported criminal cases
- Eight cases involving allegations including extortion, kidnapping, armed robbery, criminal intimidation, dacoity and counterfeiting
- Reported travel route
- Saudi Arabia through Nepal to India
- Earlier arrest
- The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Merchant in 2022; police allege he disappeared after securing bail
- Investigation focus
- The alleged extortion network, gutkha trade and conspiracy behind the firing
