Senior Advocate Ram Jethmalani on Saturday claimed that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his close associate, Chhota Shakeel, had offered to surrender to Indian authorities in the 90s, but the then-Maharashtra chief minister Sharad Pawar had rejected the offer. Jethmalani said that he had conversed with Mr. Ibrahim, who told him that, on condition of his return to India and surrender to police investigations, he had stipulated assurance that third degree torture would not be applied. However, the government rejected the offer and did not reply. The advocate further alleged that the decision was not Mr. Pawar's government's alone, the UPA may also have been involved.