‘Gutkha baron’ and chairman of Manikchand group dies of salivary gland cancer in Pune

pune

Updated: Oct 25, 2017 15:47 IST

Rasiklal Dhariwal, an industrialist popularly known as the ‘gutkha baron’, died on Tuesday following prolonged illness, doctors treating him said. He was 78.

Dhariwal, chairman of Manikchand group of companies, was suffering from cancer.

The industrialist is survived by his wife, son and four daughters.

Sanjay Pathare, medical director, Ruby Hall Clinic informed that Dhariwal was suffering from parotid gland cancer that had spread.

Pathare added that Rasiklal Dhariwal was admitted to the Ruby Hall Clinic and had been in hospital since September 4.

“The cancer later spread and Dhariwal died due to multi-organ failure. He was on the ventilator for the past 15 days at Ruby Hall. He died of sepsis with multi-organ failure, Pathare said .

Dhariwal started as a tobacco trader after inheriting the beedi business from his father.

He later became a manufacturer of gutkha and one of the biggest producers of the tobacco product in India.

Dhariwal was embroiled in several controversies for his alleged links with the underworld.

Dhariwal was born in Shirur tehsil of Pune district.