ID :
113533
Fri, 03/26/2010 - 00:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/113533
The shortlink copeid
India's priority to have direct access to Headley
New Delhi, Mar 25 (PTI) As extradition of terror accused
David Headley from the US is likely to be a difficult process,
India will press for immediate direct access to him for its
investigators.
Top government sources said as extradition of the 49-year
old Pakistani-American, who has admitted to plotting the
audacious Mumbai terror attack, appearing to become a
difficult process, the immediate priority of the Indian
investigators was direct access to him to know details about
the terror plot.
Indian investigators believe that immediate access to
Headley could be obtained through legal channels as he is
under the custody of court.
Under the plea bargain agreement between Headley and the
US government, 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.
Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium has asked the
government to act tough and settle for nothing less than his
extradition, arguing that a plea bargain cannot be a
substitute for an international treaty.
The US has, however, refused to extradite Headley and
made it clear that no decision had been taken on giving India
a direct access to him.
The Home Ministry will soon write to the US Department of
Justice seeking a date for having direct access to Headley,
currently under American custody.
In the letter, to be finalised in the next few days by
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.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing
the case, will file the charge sheet against him only after
having a direct access to him.
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
ACB
KAB
David Headley from the US is likely to be a difficult process,
India will press for immediate direct access to him for its
investigators.
Top government sources said as extradition of the 49-year
old Pakistani-American, who has admitted to plotting the
audacious Mumbai terror attack, appearing to become a
difficult process, the immediate priority of the Indian
investigators was direct access to him to know details about
the terror plot.
Indian investigators believe that immediate access to
Headley could be obtained through legal channels as he is
under the custody of court.
Under the plea bargain agreement between Headley and the
US government, 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.
Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium has asked the
government to act tough and settle for nothing less than his
extradition, arguing that a plea bargain cannot be a
substitute for an international treaty.
The US has, however, refused to extradite Headley and
made it clear that no decision had been taken on giving India
a direct access to him.
The Home Ministry will soon write to the US Department of
Justice seeking a date for having direct access to Headley,
currently under American custody.
In the letter, to be finalised in the next few days by
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.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing
the case, will file the charge sheet against him only after
having a direct access to him.
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
ACB
KAB
