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I talked to Dawood, he wanted to return : Ram Jethmalani confirms

by IBNS 04 Jul 2015, 09:41 am

New Delhi, Jul 4 (IBNS) Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani on Saturday confirmed that he spoke to underworld don and one of India's most wanted terrorists Dawood Ibrahim, who had offered to return and was ready to face the trial.

Media reports quoted Jethmalani as saying that Dawood told him that he was not involved in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts and was willing to return to India to face trial but feared threat to his life. 

Jethmalani added that he informed then Maharashtra chief minister Sharad Pawar about Dawood's willingness to return. 
 

"I had a talk with Dawood Ibrahim himself. Dawood had said that he was not involved in any blast as was being said and that if he was given an assurance that he would not ill-treated, he was ready to come to India and face the trial. I had in fact written to Sharad Pawar also," said Jethmalani.

Jethmalani's remarks came after Dawood's close-aide Chhota Shakeel told the media  that the government turned down Dawood's proposal to return. 

Chhota Shakeel said that now they are reluctant to return.

According to the report, Chhota Shakeel claimed that Dawood had spoken to Ram Jethmalani at the time. He also accused Bharatiya Janata Party patriarch LK Advani of blocking the move.