India to send magistrate to US to record Headley's statement

New Delhi, Mar 26 (PTI) With hopes of David Headley's
extradition receding, India has decided to send a magistrate
to the US to record his statement which would be admissible as
evidence in a court here.

A request letter for access to Headley, Lashkar-e Taiba
operative who has admitted his role in Mumbai attacks, would
be sent by Home Ministry next week to the US Department of
Justice, official sources said on Friday.
The magistrate will be sent when the US grants
permission for direct access to Headley to record his
statement under CrPC 164, which is admissible in an Indian
court of law, the sources said.
The statement would be crucial when a chargesheet is
filed against Headley in Mumbai.
Besides the magistrate, the team will also comprise
lawyers and officials of Mumbai Police and NIA, who will
question the 49-year old Pakistani-American, who has admitted
to plotting the audacious Mumbai terror attack.
As Headley's extradition appeared difficult, India was
immediately focussing on getting direct access to him to know
details about the terror plot.
In the letter, which is being finalised by Union 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.
Sources said the NIA, probing the case, will file the
chargesheet against him only after having a direct access to
him.
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. (MORE) PTI ACB
SDE


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