‘Dawood willing to return to India’
Lawyer of gangster’s brother Iqbal Kaskar tells court hearing extortion case of ‘two conditions’
THANE:Gangster Dawood Ibrahim is willing to come to India, his brother Iqbal Kaskar’s lawyer Shyam Keswani said in Thane court premises on Tuesday, where he had come for a hearing in an extortion case. Keswani was reiterating what the gangster had said about his “willingness to return to India” a few years ago.
According to Keswani, Ibrahim wants to be kept in Arthur Road jail and is even ready to face all charges against him. “Dawood had said the same thing a few years ago too. When we can compromise with Abu Salem, why not with Dawood?” the lawyer asked.
Vikas Ghodke, inspector, Thane anti-extortion cell, said, “Keswani told in court that Dawood wants to come to Mumbai and has two conditions. The matter is under investigation.”
Meanwhile, Dawood’s brother Iqbal Kaskar was on Tuesday remanded in police custody until March 9. Kaskar was arrested on September 18 with his two aides for allegedly extorting a builder of ~30 lakh and four flats in Thane.
The police have added three more names in the third FIR in the extortion case – Tony Lewis, the owner of a plot in Gorai; Bhavar Kothari, a builder; and Bharat Jain, a diamond trader.
“Lewis sold the plot to a builder named Aggrawal for ~2 crore. Ibrahim and Kaskar intervened in the case and took the money and the land and also extorted ~1 crore from Aggrawal. Kothari and Jain were in touch with Dawood and helped him,” inspector Ghodke added.
The first case, involving extortion of ~30 lakh and four flats, was lodged at Kasarwadavli police station on September 18, while the second case of extorting a jewellery shop owner was lodged two days later and the third involving the plot at Gorai on October 3.
Kaskar, Ibrahim, and their brother Anees have been named in all the three FIRs, police said.