India likely to get access to Rana after Chicago trial

New Delhi, May 10 (PTI) India is likely to get access to
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the Pakistani Canadian accused in the
Mumbai terror attack case, after completion of his trial in an
American court next month.
The request to question Rana, a key accomplice of
Lashkar-e-Taiba operative David Headley, by India has been
sent to the authorities in the US after gathering evidence
about his involvement in the planning of the 26/11 attacks.
It was sent under the Mutual legal Assistance Treaty
between the two countries.
"The trial begins on May 16 and based on evidence. We
expect a very speedy conclusion of the trial," Home Secretary
Gopal K Pillai told reporters here.
Pillai said one should wait for the results of the Rana's
trial before making any conclusion on the case.
India hopes that Rana's trial in a Chicago court will be
completed in two weeks.
Rana, arrested in Chicago over the Mumbai attacks, in the
wake of his claim that he provided "material support" to 26/11
terrorists at the behest of Pakistani government and ISI.
India will also seek copy of Rana's passport and other
evidence found by the US authorities against him.
After getting access to Rana, India may pursue with US
authorities for his extradition as he has not entered into a
plea bargain with the American authorities like Headley,
sources said.
Sources said Rana's statement has only confirmed further
what India has always maintained about the involvement of
Pakistan's ISI in the 2008 terrorist attack.
Rana in his defence had said his "alleged illegal acts of
providing material support to terrorists -- were done at the
behest of the Pakistani government and the ISI, not the
Lashkar terrorist organisation".
49-year-old Rana is accused of helping David Headley in
setting up his office in Mumbai which the latter used as cover
for his trips to the city for identifying targets.
Earlier, the US had granted India access to Headley, an
LeT operative who has confessed to plotting the Mumbai
attacks.