Dawood was in talks to return to India, reveals Chhota Shakeel

Ibrahim's closest aide says Indian govt turned down their proposal to return and now they are reluctant to go back

Dawood Ibrahim, one of India’s most-wanted men for masterminding the 1993 blasts in Mumbai, was allegedly in talks to return to India, his deputy and most trusted aide, Chhota Shakeel, revealed in an exclusive interview with the Times of India.

Shakeel, however, added the Indian government turned down their proposal to return and now they are reluctant to go back.

"When we wanted to come back after 1993, you people and your government didn't allow. Bhai had himself spoken that time to Ram Jethmalani, that too in London. But your ministry - that Advani played the game," Shakeel said.

Read: Dawood Ibrahim shifted to Pak-Afghan border region: Indian official

During the interview, Shakeel accused Indian agencies of discriminating against gangs and questioned the Indian government on why they didn’t talk about bringing Chhora Rajan back.

"When agencies can hear me plotting against him (Rajan) and know where he is, why don't they get him picked up? Has he not killed people? Is he not a criminal?" he asked.

Further, Shakeel mocked Indian authorities for declaring their desire to bring Dawood back to India and face the law.

"Every time a new government comes, they make the first statement about us," he said.

Talking about his visit to Australia, Ibrahim's close aide said that he went to ‘eliminate his rival’.

"He ran away like a mouse," Shakeel said. He claimed that three key members of Rajan’s group crossed to his side because their ‘confidence’ would be taken care of.

Read: Another u-turn? Indian minister insists Dawood Ibrahim in Pakistan, vows to bring him back

"I even look after the family of Rajan's aides who had been killed by members of D-Company," Shakeel said.

Regarding his recent activities, Shakeel said,"Haven't killed anyone in Mumbai in the past 5 to 6 years. I don't want to kill innocents. He [Rajan] brings shooters from UP and gets people killed in our name. I want to continue my business. I invest money and take it back."

This article originally appeared on the Times of India.