NEW DELHI: In a bind over its recent statement that it had no idea where fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim was, the Indian government asserted on Monday that the Mumbai blast accused was in Pakistan and that Delhi would not “rest” till he was brought back to the country.

Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit who was in Lucknow on Monday denied the accused was in his country.

According to Press Trust of India, Home Minister Rajnath Singh vowed to do everything to bring Dawood to justice.

“Whether we have to pursue Pakistan or pressurise it, we will not rest till Dawood Ibrahim is brought back,” Mr Singh said in Lok Sabha.

He alleged that Pakistan had “failed” to track Dawood Ibrahim down despite being provided with “overwhelming evidence” about his presence there, based on “credible information”.

Mr Singh’s assertion came amid opposition attack over a home ministry reply to a question in Lok Sabha last week that it was not aware about the gangster’s location.

In the statement, Mr Singh said, “India has credible information about his (Dawood) presence in Pakistan… Despite overwhelming documentary and other evidence handed over to

Pakistan, Pakistan has failed to locate Dawood Ibrahim and initiate legal process.”

At a `Meet the Press’ event organised by the UP Press Club in Lucknow, High Commissioner Basit rubbished the assertion by Mr Singh in response to a question on the issue, PTI said.

“Uskey baarey mein yehi kehna hai ki woh sahab Pakistan mein nahin hain (The only thing I have to say about that gentleman is that he is not in Pakistan),” Mr Basit said.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2015

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