India to write to US for get Headley`s access

New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI) India's Home Ministry will soon
write to the US Department of Justice seeking a date for
having direct access to Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist David
Headley, currently under American custody.
In the letter, to be finalised in the next few days by
India's Home Minister P Chidambaram and top officials, the
Ministry will tell the American authorities that a team of
Indian investigators was ready and it could visit the US once
a confirmation is given.
Top government sources said the National Investigation
Agency (NIA), probing the case of the 49-year-old terrorist
who has admitted to plotting the audacious Mumbai terror
attack, will file the charge sheet against him only after
having a direct access to him.
According to the American law, the US Department of
Justice will have to take permission from the Chicago court,
which is hearing Headley's case, about India's request to have
his direct access.
Special Secretary (Internal Secretary) U K Bansal Tuesday
night met Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium and discussed
with him about the options available before Indian
investigators to question Headley under the plea bargain
agreement between him and the American government.
Sources said investigators believe that access to Headley
can be obtained only through legal channels as he is under the
custody of court, which functions under the US law.
Under the plea bargain, India can have access to the
terrorist by deposition, video conferencing or through Letters
Rogatory. Sources said India will like to explore all the
three.
Headley had last week pleaded guilty to all the 12 terror
charges of conspiracy involving bombing public places in
India, murdering and maiming persons and providing material
support to foreign terrorist plots and Pakistan-based LeT
besides aiding and abetting the murder of six US citizens
in the 26/11 attacks that killed 166 people.
Headley was arrested by the FBI in October last year. PTI