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India wins right to quiz Mumbai attacks planner Headley in US

Obama told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that he wanted India to have access to Headley

  • AFP
  • Published: 10:34 April 28, 2010

  • Image Credit: AFP
  • India has been demanding access to Headley to interrogate him over the attacks, which it blames on Pakistan-based militants.

New Delhi: India has won the right to interview David Headley, a key planner of militant attacks on Mumbai in 2008 who is being held in a US jail, the Indian embassy in Washington said in press statement.

Headley, the US-born son of a former Pakistani diplomat and an American woman, was arrested in Chicago last year and in March pleaded guilty to surveying the hotels and other targets ahead of the attacks in which 166 people died.

In exchange for his guilty plea, US prosecutors agreed he would not face extradition to India or the death penalty.

India has been demanding access to Headley to interrogate him over the attacks, which it blames on Pakistan-based militants. The only surviving gunman was found guilty in a Mumbai court and is awaiting his sentence.

The solicitor general of India, Gopal Subramaniam, met with US Attorney General Eric Holder in Washington on Tuesday to press for the chance to question Headley - previously a point of contention between the two governments.

"The two partners agreed to take suitable steps to bring about direct access by Indian authorities to David Headley as soon as possible," the Indian embassy said in the statement.

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"The partnership between India and the United States recognises the high priority to be accorded to each country's national security."

Earlier this month, US President Barack Obama told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that he wanted India to have access to Headley.

In an interview with NDTV news channel broadcast Wednesday, Subramaniam said his meeting with his American counterpart was successful.

"The entire purpose of the visit has been achieved. We are going to work very closely. I do hope this signals the beginning of an era where inputs will be shared," he said.

The Mumbai attacks, which began on November 26, 2008, caused carnage as 10 heavily-armed Islamist gunmen stormed India's financial capital, sparking a bloody, 60-hour siege shown live on television around the world.

Comments (2)

  1. Added 17:03 April 28, 2010

    The US announcement of David Headley's releasing is to consider as a positive step forward, and this should in turn benefit both countries. Headley, being the mastermind of Mumbai episode should be brought to India as part of its investigation process. In the wake of continued threat of attacks, India should adopt a strong policy to handle anti-social activities.

    Ramachandran Nair, Ruwi, Oman

  2. Added 13:21 April 28, 2010

    Finally India got the right to interrogate, then what? India once captures terrorists and let them free over pressure from the terrorists itself (Kandahaar Episode). Later ask other countries to arrest the escaped or released terrorists or hand over the arrested terrorists elsewhere. History teaches us no follow up actions so far while dealing with terrorism .If this situation CONTINUES, THE Indian Government might force to release Kaseb, the lone surviving terrorist in Mumbai attack from captivity. What deterrent punishment could deliver to parliament attackers? Rewrite Indian Penal Code, and Criminal Procedure Code to deal with terrorism and getting a speedy trial

    Girish R.Edathitta, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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