J Dey reports how the underworld, unnoticed by the common man, is creeping into the mainstream

The underworld today is a clear departure from what it was between the 70s and 90s. From controlling bootlegging, gambling and smuggling, the gangs have now entered businesses like real estate, cinema, sand dredging and waterfront commerce in Mumbai's ports and even the purchase of vegetables and meat (see box). For the common man this means he unknowingly adds to the coffers of gangs...

Dumping yards
From: 2007
Worth: Rs 15 lakh a day
The underworld preys on every bit of mud gouged out to construct a new building. Chhota Shakeel's men collect around Rs 3,000 per truck to dump the waste at a Chembur dump yard.

About 500 trucks visit the dump yard daily a collection of Rs 15 lakh a day. The builder, in turn, makes up the money from the common man by adding the inflated cost of dumping to the selling price of his apartments.