A United Nations Special Rapporteur described gangster Dawood Ibrahim’s ‘D-Company’ as an India-based criminal group. India strongly rebuked the UN over this, categorically rejecting the claim. Pointing out major errors in the report, India warned that such incompetence causes significant damage to a global institution like the United Nations.
Raghu Puri, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, delivered a sharp response on Wednesday during a session of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. This response was in reference to a report by Ben Saul, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. What was India’s response?
Puri stated, “My delegation has consistently raised, in other forums as well, that the issuance of reports containing factual errors by a Special Rapporteur—without any accountability—is an unacceptable situation.” He added that this has created an irreversible situation for member states—a regrettable state of affairs for an organization already grappling with challenges regarding its own legitimacy. “In this context,” Puri said, “I would like to draw attention to some glaring errors concerning my country.”
He highlighted that Saul’s report claims the UN Security Council added the leader of the ‘D-Company’—described as an India-based criminal group—to its sanctions list due to his alleged links to Al-Qaeda. Puri remarked, “If this single line is read in isolation, it presents a picture that is entirely detached from the actual reality.” ‘Dawood is wanted in India’
Dismissing the characterization of the ‘D-Company’ as India-based, Puri stated that this criminal organization—and its listed kingpin, Dawood Ibrahim—have been wanted in India in connection with terrorist attacks since 1993.
Referring to the United Nations Security Council’s Al-Qaeda sanctions regime, he noted, “This is explicitly stated in the ‘reasons for listing’ under the 1267 sanctions regime.” Puri added, “It is regrettable that this fact was not mentioned. Such incompetence on the part of those in privileged positions does a great disservice to this organization.”
‘Dawood is hiding in the same country where Osama was killed’
He stated, “Let me set the record straight: this individual fled India long before his 2003 listing. It was while he was outside the country that he was added to the list due to his ties to Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.”
Puri emphasized that Dawood Ibrahim is a wanted criminal in India and, according to the UN list, is hiding in the same country where Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was found and killed—a clear reference to Pakistan. Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011 during a raid by US Navy SEALs in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad.
