Jobaaj Stories
Sapna Didi, a mysterious woman in Mumbai's underworld, is remembered as one of the few people who dared to challenge the infamous gangster Dawood Ibrahim. Born as Ashraf in a conservative Muslim family, she was initially unaware of her husband's criminal ties. However, her life changed dramatically when her husband, Mehmood Khan, was murdered at Mumbai airport after returning from Dubai. Ashraf later discovered that Dawood Ibrahim had ordered his killing, allegedly because he refused to follow one of Dawood’s orders.
Filled with anger and a desire for revenge, Ashraf adopted the name "Sapna Didi" and vowed to take down Dawood. She approached gangster Hussain Ustara, who was a rival of Dawood, to learn how to handle a gun. Over time, Sapna became more involved in Mumbai’s criminal world. She not only learned to use weapons but also helped disrupt Dawood’s businesses by intercepting weapons that were being sent from Nepal to India. Sapna’s efforts to harm Dawood’s empire began to gain attention, and she soon became known as a fierce enemy of the D-Company.
As she gained more influence, Sapna’s appearance and lifestyle also changed. She shed her traditional burqa for modern clothes like jeans and shirts. She even learned to ride a bike and handle firearms with ease. In addition to attacking Dawood’s business interests, Sapna also targeted illegal activities like gambling dens and dance bars in Mumbai, further building her reputation.
Sapna’s determination to kill Dawood Ibrahim led her to plan an attack during an India-Pakistan cricket match in Sharjah in the early 1990s. She believed this would be the perfect opportunity to strike, as Dawood would be in the public eye. She sent her men to scout the stadium and prepare for the attack. However, before she could carry out her plan, it was leaked to Dawood’s men.
In 1994, Dawood’s men tracked Sapna down and killed her in her Mumbai home. She was stabbed 22 times, and despite her screams, no one came to her aid because they were too scared of Dawood’s retaliation. Sapna Didi died from her injuries before reaching the hospital.
Today, Sapna Didi is a largely forgotten figure. No photographs of her are known to exist, and much of her story remains shrouded in mystery. However, her courage in taking on one of the most powerful criminals in India is still remembered by those who know her story.
