Haji Mastan’s Daughter Appeals to Modi and Shah for Justice
Haseen Mastan Mirza, daughter of the late Mumbai underworld don Haji Mastan, is seeking intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a long-pending case involving alleged sexual abuse and child marriage.
Haji MastanHaseen Mastan MirzaMumbai UnderworldSexual AbuseChild MarriageReal Estate MumbaiDec 24, 2025
In today’s explainer, we delve into what the purported daughter of the don is saying, who her father was, and the Bollywood movie centered around him.
What is Haseen Mirza actually saying?
The case revolves around alleged sexual abuse, child marriage, and a property dispute. Haseen alleged that in 1996, she was forcibly married to her maternal uncle’s son, whom she accused of raping and abusing her, and misusing her identity to illegally seize her property, as reported by ANI. She further claimed that the man had been married eight times prior to marrying her.
According to Haseen, she was a minor at the time and was coerced into the marriage, an experience she said caused severe trauma and drove her to attempt suicide on three occasions. Speaking to ANI, Haseen said, “I have appealed to Amit Shah and Modi ji, as incidents like rape and murder are happening every day. Just as I experienced, rape, attempted murder, child marriage, loss of property, and having my identity hidden, I had said that if the law were stricter, people would be deterred from committing such crimes.”
Why is she coming out in public now?
Recounting her ordeal, Haseen said she received minimal support, both during her childhood and later in adulthood. “I want justice against the person who has committed so many crimes, raped a child, and left her to die. Even the police questioned me, asking, ‘What were you doing then?’ Today I am an adult with no support, and back then, as a child, no one stood by me. When I was thrown out of the house, I had no one to turn to,” she said, days after putting out a video on social media Instagram.
Haseen’s profile picture shows Haji Mastan added in the background through editing | Instagram
Haseen’s father, Haji Mastan, was a key figure in Mumbai’s underworld, involved in real estate and maritime smuggling, and was well-known for his connections with other gangsters and Bollywood celebrities.
What was Haji Mastan’s early life?
Mastan Haider Mirza, a.k.a Haji Mastan, Bawa, or Sultan Mirza, was born on 1 March 1926 in Panaikulam village near Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. Mastan’s father, Haider Mirza, was a hardworking but impoverished farmer who moved to Mumbai with Mastan in 1934 after struggling to sustain his family in their village. In Mumbai, they ran a small cycle-repair shop near Crawford Market, which barely provided enough to survive. Mastan soon realized that despite all the effort, he could only earn a meager Rs 5 a day. As he walked home to his basti, he would gaze at the cars of Mumbai’s wealthy, their Malabar Hill bungalows, and resolved to become rich and famous himself one day. He was also captivated by the grandeur of South Mumbai’s theatres, such as Alfred and Novelty on Grant Road.
What was his smuggling business and empire?
A major turning point came in 1956 when Mastan met Sukur Narayan Bakhia. The two formed a partnership in smuggling, dividing territories between them, with Mastan taking charge of the Mumbai port and Bakhia managing the Daman port. Goods were smuggled to Daman from the Persian Gulf and to Mumbai from Aden. In post-independence India, high import duties and restrictive trade policies, particularly on gold, electronics, radios, and liquor, led to a thriving black market as demand from the rich people was very high. Mastan capitalized on this, assisting travelers and haj pilgrims in smuggling goods through the docks by hiding items in their luggage or on their person, a practice that soon became highly profitable. By the 1970s, Mastan had established a strong foothold in Mumbai. Within a decade, he had risen to a prominent position in the city. He came to wield significant influence over maritime activities and was often seen holding foreign cigarettes and cigars.
What was Mastan’s Bollywood connection?
Haji Mastan Mirza, often regarded as the king of Mumbai’s underworld, had a strong fascination with Bollywood. Long-time residents recall that he was deeply enamored with actress Madhubala and wished to marry her, but circumstances did not permit it. Mastan married film actress Sona (Shahjehan Begum) around 1984, often noted for her resemblance to golden-era star, Madhubala. Mastan invested money in several films for Sona, though they failed at the box office. He was said to have close friendships with leading Bollywood stars, including Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Raj Kapoor, Dharmendra, Feroz Khan, and Sanjeev Kumar. Many prominent film personalities were frequently seen at his bungalow.
Why did Haji Mastan turn to politics?
In 1980, Haji Mastan finally left the world of crime and turned to politics. In 1984, he joined hands with Maharashtra’s Dalit leader Joginder Kawade to form a political party called the Dalit–Muslim Suraksha Mahasangh. In 1990, the party was renamed the Bharatiya Alpsankhyak Mahasangh. Bollywood superstar Dilip Kumar actively campaigned for the party and was seen at several of its programmes. The party later contested civic elections in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Madras. Although it did not achieve electoral success, it is said that large amounts of black money were used during the campaign. This period is believed to have marked the beginning of the trend of heavy spending in elections.
The Gentleman Smuggler’s Legacy
Despite his influence, Haji Mastan never took a life, never attacked anyone, and did not fire even a single bullet throughout his life. During that period, his reputation extended beyond Mumbai to the rest of Maharashtra. Throughout his life, Haji Mastan was also known for helping people in Mumbai. He spent his final years with his family, including his wife and adopted son. Haji Mastan died of a heart attack in 2000, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be discussed and debated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Haseen Mastan Mirza?
Haseen Mastan Mirza claims to be the daughter of Haji Mastan, a prominent figure in Mumbai's underworld. She has come forward with allegations of sexual abuse and child marriage.
What are the main allegations made by Haseen Mastan Mirza?
Haseen alleges that she was forcibly married to her maternal uncle’s son in 1996, who raped and abused her. She also claims that her identity was misused to illegally seize her property.
Who was Haji Mastan?
Haji Mastan was a key figure in Mumbai’s underworld, involved in real estate and maritime smuggling. He was well-known for his connections with other gangsters and Bollywood celebrities.
What was Haji Mastan's early life like?
Haji Mastan was born in 1926 in a village near Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. He moved to Mumbai with his father in 1934, where they ran a small cycle-repair shop. He later became involved in smuggling and rose to prominence in the Mumbai underworld.
Why did Haji Mastan turn to politics in the 1980s?
In 1980, Haji Mastan left the world of crime and turned to politics. He formed a political party with Maharashtra’s Dalit leader Joginder Kawade and later contested civic elections, although without electoral success.
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