With journalist-turned-activist S Balakrishnan having failed to raise Rs4.28 crore required for purchasing an eatery ‘Delhi Zaika’ owned by Karachi-based underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, the property may be put up by a Government-appointed firm for a fresh auction in the coming weeks.
Balakrishnan, who had emerged the top bidder at Rs4.28 crore for ‘Delhi Zaika’, a 500 sq ft eatery, at an auction held on December 9 last year, failed to submit a draft for the balance amount of Rs3.98 crore for the property. Thursday was the last day for making the payment.
Talking to The Pioneer, Balakrishnan said, “After winning the bid, I had deposited Rs30 lakh. I had readied another Rs45 lakh. But, the time of 30 days given to us was very less. Given that there were 10 holidays, there was no way I could have raised such a huge sum in just 20 days. I requested the firm to extend the time. But, the firm refused to entertain my request”.