Mumbai, November 6: Underworld don Dawood Ibrahim had offered to ‘surrender’ to Indian agencies under the similar terms on which gangster Chhota Rajan had ‘surrendered’ himself, claims his lawyer Shyam Keswani, who once represented Dawood. Also Read - Payal Ghosh Alleges 'Rape' in FIR Against Anurag Kashyap, Filmmaker To Appear For Interrogation

A report said that the fled underworld gangster who evaded arrest from Indian authorities for more than three decades had also offered to surrender a few years ago. Read Also: (Chhota Rajan claims 18 Mumbai police officials work for underworld don Dawood Ibrahim but silent on cops supporting him) Also Read - Disha Salian Death Case: Mumbai Police Makes Official Statement About Last Number She Dialled

Keswani who spoke to India Today, raised questions on handing over all cases of arrested accused Chhota Rajan to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), said, “If Indian agencies would have accepted Dawood’s similar demand of trial under CBI like that of Rajan’s, Dawood would have been in India a long ago”. Also Read - COVID-19: Mumbai Police Extends Section 144 From Midnight Till September 30

Unlike Rajan, fearing for his life Dawood had also objected of being kept at the Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail if he surrenders, Keswani was quoted in the news channel.

Rajan Sadashiv Nikhalje, once a right hand man of Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested on October 26 in Bali, Indonesia. On Friday morning he was deported back to India after evading arrest for 27 years.

Earlier this year, Ram Jethmalani, a senior advocate and Rajya Sabha member, claimed that he had spoken to Dawood and he was ready to surrender and face trial.

“CBI wants to keep feather on their head, this is all ego problem between centre and state government”, Keswani said.

Dawood had earlier claimed that his life would be under threat if he would be lodged in the Arthur Road jail. Sources said that the Mumbai police officials were upset after the case was transferred to the CBI.

Earlier the don had claimed that he didn’t had any role in the serial 1993 Mumbai blast.

Meanwhile on Friday, Rajan said that more than 18 Mumbai police officials are still working for underworld don Dawood. He said, there are still cops who are working directly on the payroll of fled gangster Dawood. However he is unable to provide any material evidence to ascertain his claims.

Shyam Keswani, had represented Dawood Ibrahim’s brother Iqbal Kaskar, recently in an extortion case where Iqbal was arrested by the JJ Marg police station in Mumbai, in February this year.