Mumbai, Mar 7: Fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim has apparently expressed his desire of returning to India, only if he is kept in the Arthur Road Jail. This news was shared by renowned criminal lawyer, Shyam Keswani to the media outside Thane Court, where he is representing Dawood's brother Iqbal Ibrahim Kaskar in an extortion case.

The lawyer further pointed out that Dawood had expressed similar interest few years back and he had spoken to former union minister Ram Jethmalani regarding the same. However, the government refused to accept his conditional request and till date, there has been no extradition.

As per the police, Dawood conveyed the message to Kaskar in Thane central jail via a message that was sent to Kaskar’s son and wife, who came to visit him from Dubai on December 27.

A lighter moment also erupted in the courtroom when the Judge reportedly asked Kaskar whether he can share Dawood's mobile number. To which, Kaskar immediately responded that though he had spoken to him on phone, the number didn't display up.

Earlier this year, Kaskar was remanded in police custody in connection with an extortion case.

Kaskar was already in judicial remand after the Thane police’s anti-extortion cell arrested him last year in connection with two cases. The court had remanded him in police custody till March 6.

Reportedly, in a sharp reaction to lawyer Keswani's statement about Dawood, public prosecutor Ujjawal Nikam said, “It's Dawood Ibrahim's old style. Beggars have no choice. Who informed his lawyer that he wants to surrender? If he's in contact with him our agencies must find about it. It's nonsense.”

Reports even surfaced that Dawood has handed over the reins of the D-company to his brother Iqbal Kaskar. Last year, there were news about Dawood suffering from bouts of depression. In 2011, the gangster stood at No 3 in Forbes' World's Top 10 Most dreaded criminals list.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 07, 2018 04:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).