New Delhi: The controversial statement by Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary in the Lok Sabha on the whereabouts of one of India's most wanted underworld don and terrorist Dawood Ibrahim left the Narendra Modi government red-faced on Tuesday.

In a written reply to a question by BJP MP Nityanand Rai, Chaudhary informed Parliament that Dawood Ibrahim's whereabouts are unknown and an extradition process can only be initiated after he is located.

"Dawood Ibrahim is an accused in the Mumbai serial blast of 1993 and a Red Corner Notice No.A0135/4-1993 is in existence against him. The United Nations Security Council has also issued a Special Notice No. U-65/4-2006 against him. The subject has not been located so far. Extradition process with regard to Dawood Ibrahim would be initiated once the subject is located.

"However, Government of India has made requests in respect of fugitives wanted by Indian Authorities in terrorist cases namely Willy Naruenartwanich to Thailand, Usmani Ghani Khan to Saudi Arabia, Abdul Wahid Siddibapa to the United Arab Emirates, Velu alias Boopalan alias Dileepan alias Niranjana to the United Kingdom and Mohammad Hanif Tiger alias Mohammad Hanif Umerji Patel to the United Kingdom for expeditious extradition of these fugitives," Chaudhary told Lok Sabha.

Dawood, who has been listed as as Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the United States for his alleged links with al-Qaeda terror groups, vanished from Mumbai between

1992-93 and settled in a Gulf country.

The CBI has alleged that he conspired with ISI to carry out serial blasts in Mumbai in which 257 people were killed and property worth Rs 32 crore damaged.