Chicago: The three-member National Investigation Agency (NIA) team which questioned David Headley in Chicago for the last two days on his role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks might not have been able to extract much from him.
According to reports in the Mail Today newspaper, Headley has refused to answer their questions and repeatedly told them he has invoked the 'Fifth Ammendment'.
Headley has said, "Following the advice of my lawyer, I am invoking, with respect, my right to the Fifth Amendment and say no further in this matter."
The Fifth Amendment, which is part of the Bill of Rights, guarantees that no person in a criminal case, including non-citizens, can be compelled to be witness against themselves.
"Yes, access (to Headley) has been given. It is in the hands of right professionals from both countries," a statement from US National Security advisor James Jones' office said on Saturday.
Jones also added, "We have fulfilled our commitment."
However, it is still unclear if the National Investigating Agency (NIA) team in Chicago will have multiples chances to question Headley.
The access came on the heels of fast moving developments at the strategic dialogue talks between India and the US in Washington.
External Affairs Minister SM Krishna had met with Jones and told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that access to Headley was the next logical step in Indo-US counter terror cooperation.
Both Indian officials and US have been extremely tight-lipped and may issue a joint statement once the questioning is through.
Dawood Gilani alias David Headley had already struck a plea bargain with US authorities in the Mumbai attack case that saved him from the death penalty and extradition to India.
However, the fine print of the deal requires Headley to cooperate with foreign authorities and can be interviewed by them on US soil.
While it is a small step forward in India's quest for access to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) scout, it's a giant soother in the recent hiccups in Indo-US counter terror cooperation.