The roots tug hard at most people’s heart. But the kin of underworld don Mustafa Dossa, an accused in the 1993 serial blasts, are trying hard to shrug off their family name.
Family members of Mustafa Dossa have filed affidavit to change their family name
MUMBAI: The roots tug hard at most people’s heart. But the kin of underworld don Mustafa Dossa, an accused in the 1993 serial blasts, are trying hard to shrug off their family name.
The six-member family, which lives in a palatial bungalow in Agripada, has decided to change surname from Dossa to Memon. They say they are doing so to avoid police harassment and the scowls of immigration officials that the name Dossa attracts at airport every time they go abroad. Also, people here react negatively to the branded surname, they add.
The Dossa family comprising Mustafa’s wife Sadiya, 49, three sons — Shahnawaz, 30, Shebaaz, 29, Avez, 27 — and two daughters — Shereez, 20 and Shazia, 23 — filed an affidavit on Saturday, requesting the change in surname. As per rules, they will also be advertising in two newspapers. Both Shahnawaaz and Shebaaz are married.
Mustafa, who is currently lodged in Arthur Road jail, allegedly played a role in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts conspiracy, hatched by fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. Mustafa’s brother, Mohammed, too is a co-accused in the case. While Mustafa was extradited from Dubai on March 20, 2003, Mohammed is still absconding. As Mustafa arrived in India after the serial blasts trial began, he is being tried separately. He has been accused of sending arms, ammunition and explosives to India, which were allegedly used in the blasts.
“The Dossa surname automatically raises eyebrows,” says a relative on condition of anonymity. “After the irreparable blot on their reputation following the bomb blasts, the family wants to start life afresh,” he added.
But would changing from Dossa to Memon serve their cause? With Tiger Memon and several members of his family being involved in the case, the latter title too is no less profaned. But Dossas’ relative says,”There are very few people with Dossa as their surname. In comparison, Memon is a far more respected surname. It doesn’t always attract a suspicious stare.”
Another factor leading to the change of surname is that the family face trouble everytime it tries to sell or buy a property. The potential party often backs out after coming to know of their antecedents. “They have trouble dealing in property. Nobody wants to buy or sell property from them,” the relative added.
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