New Delhi has issued a firm rejection of a United Nations special rapporteur's report that characterized fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim's D-Company as an “India-based” criminal organization. India's Permanent Mission to the UN, represented by First Secretary Raghoo Puri, highlighted “glaring inaccuracies” in the counter-terrorism report, warning that such errors could undermine the world body's credibility.
During a meeting of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, Puri addressed a report by Ben Saul, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. Puri expressed serious concern over the publication of reports containing factual errors without adequate accountability, which he noted presents member states with a fait accompli before findings enter public discourse.
Clarifying Dawood Ibrahim's Status
Puri specifically objected to the report's statement that the UN Security Council had in 2003 listed the leader of one criminal group, “the India-based D-Company,” for association with Al-Qaeda. He asserted that this description paints “a very different picture from the actual reality.”
India maintained that Dawood Ibrahim and his D-Company have been wanted in India since 1993 for terror attacks, a fact documented in the narrative summary explaining his listing under the UN Security Council's 1267 Al-Qaeda sanctions regime. Puri emphasized, “Not mentioning this fact is regrettable, and such incompetence on part of special mandate holders does this organisation tremendous harm.”
Fugitive Status and Location
Puri clarified the timeline, stating, “This individual fled India much before the 2003 listing, and it was during this period from outside our country that he was listed for being associated with Al Qaeda and with Osama bin Laden.”
India reiterated that Ibrahim remains a wanted criminal. Puri subtly referenced Pakistan, noting that according to the UN listing, Ibrahim lives in the same country where Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was found and killed in 2011. This statement underscores India's long-standing position regarding Ibrahim's alleged sanctuary outside of India.