Abdul Rauf, also known as Dawood Merchant, the notorious henchman of underworld figure Abu Salem, has passed away in Harsool Central Jail. He was 60 years old and was serving a life sentence for the murder of T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar, which occurred on August 12, 1997. Rauf reportedly died from a heart attack on Thursday morning, following a recent decline in his health.
Just a few days prior, on December 30, 2025, he experienced a minor heart attack and was briefly hospitalized at Government Valley Hospital. After showing signs of recovery, he was returned to prison on January 4, 2026. Unfortunately, he suffered a more severe heart attack, leading to his death, prompting authorities to file a case of accidental death.
The tragic murder of Gulshan Kumar took place outside the Jeeteshwar Mahadev Temple in Andheri, where he had gone to pray. As he exited his vehicle, Rauf unleashed a barrage of 16 bullets at close range, resulting in Kumar’s immediate death. This act was not merely a business dispute but part of a larger underworld strategy to instill fear and maintain control over Mumbai’s film and music industry, heavily influenced by crime during the 1990s.
Kumar had reportedly been threatened for ransom, which he staunchly refused. In 2002, Rauf was sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement in the murder, and in 2003, he was moved to Harsool Jail. After being granted parole in 2009, he absconded but was eventually apprehended again between 2016 and 2017, returning to Harsool Jail where he ultimately met his end.