Thakiyudeen Abdul Wahid (also known informally as "Thaki") was a leading Indian entrepreneur and aviator. He was the Managing Director of the now-defunct East West Airlines.Mr. Wahid along with his brother, Mr. Nasirudeen A Wahid created East West Airlines, Indias first private airlines, from the success of a profitably run recruiting business to further travel agency business. A Muslim, he was one of well-known Muslim entrepreneurs in India along with the Allanas, Khorakiwalas and Hamieds.
Thaki was born at a coastal village called Odayam in Edava panchayat in the South Indian state of Kerala.
East-West Airlines became one of the leading domestic air carriers in India.[1] However, the airline fell into bad times and wound up operations after Thaki was assassinated outside his office in Mumbai in 1995.[2] Noted Bangkok-based Indian gangster, Chhota Rajan claimed responsibility for the killing. Wahid was shot dead by a group of 6 gunmen right outside his Bandra office. The gunmen broke the window of his car with a hammer and then riddled him with over 30 bullets. His driver, although seriously injured, still managed to drive him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Thakiyudeen Wahid was well known in social circles in India's commercial capital of Bombay (now Mumbai), as well as in the Middle Eastern countries of Bahrain, Oman and Dubai. With his brothers and several close friends and associates in the Middle East, he built East West into one of India's most formidable airlines.
The East-West Group is now looked after by Mr Wahid's brothers, Thahakutty Wahid, Nasiruddin Wahid and Faisal Wahid, who are based in Bahrain & India respectively.