Mumbai: Pakistani-American LeT terrorist David Coleman Headley was on Wednesday made an accused in the 26/11 terror attacks case after a local court allowed a plea of Mumbai police and directed that he be produced before it via video-conferencing on December 10.
“Your exhibit (application) is allowed,” said judge G.A. Sanap while he issued summons for Headley. “Issue summons to Headley through US District Court for North eastern district of Illinois, USA for appearance before this court on December 10,” the judge directed. Headley reportedly visited India five times between 2006 and 2008, drew maps, took video footage and scouted several targets for the attacks including the Taj Hotel, Oberoi Hotel and Nariman House.
His reconnaissance provided vital information for the 10 LeT terrorists and their handlers, who launched the attack on November 26, 2008 in which 166 persons were killed.
The Mumbai police had on October 8 moved an application before the court saying that Headley (who is currently serving 35 years in an American prison for his role in the terror attacks) deserves to be tried by this (Mumbai) court together with 26/11 key plotter Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal in the case as both of them are conspirators and abettors behind the dastardly strikes.
Jundal is facing trial for his alleged role in the attacks, which held the city to ransom for three days. Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said, “David Headley has been joined as an accused along with Abu Jundal (in the 26/11 case) and the court has taken cognisance of offences against Headley.” Nikam also said that the charge sheet filed against Jundal carves out the role of Headley and hence no separate charge sheet was needed against the latter.
Earlier this month, during a hearing the court had sought to know why the Mumbai police did not launch an investigation after the US took Headley’s custody. The court had also said that the judgment of the foreign court only has ‘persuasive value’ and it cannot be relied upon as evidence. Nikam had then told the court that Headley had not been tried under Indian law for conspiracy in the 26/11 attacks. He said that an American court is not competent to try offences under Indian Penal Code.
The charges for which Headley has been convicted by the US court and the charges Mumbai police are pursuing against him are entirely different. The police had pleaded that the (Mumbai) court may kindly issue a Letter of Request to US District court of Illinois to produce Headley before it through video-conferencing. They had prayed that court may proceed against Headley after taking cognizance of the offences committed by him.
