Mumbai:
NDTV has exclusive information from film director Mahesh Bhatt's son Rahul, who is apparently the Rahul mentioned in emails between Headley and his Lashkar handlers.
Twenty-five-year-old Rahul Bhatt is a fitness instructor and a body builder and he met Headley at a gym, where he says they were introduced to each other by a common friend. The two apparently met several times. But Rahul has denied reports that he helped Headley find a south Mumbai pad.
Headley, a key suspect in a terror plot against India and Denmark uncovered by the FBI, was arrested in Chicago last month.
Rahul has been questioned in the case and said he had been given a clean chit. Sources have said there has been no incriminating evidence against Rahul but he has yet to be given a clean chit.
Rahul Bhatt to NDTV:
The fitness instructor said Headley was introduced to him by a common friend. "David Headley is a fitness freak. He came to me for guidance on fitness...I have met Headley 8 to 10 times."
He also said, "The pictures of Headley in the media do not resemble the Headley I met."
Rahul's name comes up several times in Headley's emails to his LeT handlers. The FBI affidavit notes that in an e-mail in July 2009, Headley told Lashkar-e-Taiba Member A that, "I think when we get a chance we should revisit our last location again and say hi to Rahul."
A reply from LeT Member A on the same day reads: "To see Rahul is a good idea coz have some work for you over there too. Matters are good enough to move forward..."
On July 9, Headley writes again: "When you say 'move forward', do you mean in the north direction or towards Rahul..." To this Member A replies: "Towards Rahul."
On July 10, Headley writes another mail to Member A: "The visit to Rahul's place, is it for checking real estate property like before, or something different and if so please tell what you can please. Also is it in Rahul's city or different one?"
To this Member A replies: "There are some investment plans with me, not exactly at Rahul's city but near that. Rest we can decide when meet according to your ease."
The codeword Rahul, FBI notes, certainly pertains to India.
Twenty-five-year-old Rahul Bhatt is a fitness instructor and a body builder and he met Headley at a gym, where he says they were introduced to each other by a common friend. The two apparently met several times. But Rahul has denied reports that he helped Headley find a south Mumbai pad.
Headley, a key suspect in a terror plot against India and Denmark uncovered by the FBI, was arrested in Chicago last month.
Rahul has been questioned in the case and said he had been given a clean chit. Sources have said there has been no incriminating evidence against Rahul but he has yet to be given a clean chit.
Rahul Bhatt to NDTV:
- I am willing to help the police
- Police has given me a clean chit
- Lots of rumours regarding my connection to Headley
- I never showed him any places neither for residence for work
- He was introduced to me by a common friend
- I have met Headley 8 - 10 times
- When I saw reports of Headley on TV I was shocked
- I went to police voluntarily
- The pictures of Headley in the media do not resemble the Headley I met
- David Headley is a fitness freak
- He came to me for guidance on fitness
The fitness instructor said Headley was introduced to him by a common friend. "David Headley is a fitness freak. He came to me for guidance on fitness...I have met Headley 8 to 10 times."
He also said, "The pictures of Headley in the media do not resemble the Headley I met."
Rahul's name comes up several times in Headley's emails to his LeT handlers. The FBI affidavit notes that in an e-mail in July 2009, Headley told Lashkar-e-Taiba Member A that, "I think when we get a chance we should revisit our last location again and say hi to Rahul."
A reply from LeT Member A on the same day reads: "To see Rahul is a good idea coz have some work for you over there too. Matters are good enough to move forward..."
On July 9, Headley writes again: "When you say 'move forward', do you mean in the north direction or towards Rahul..." To this Member A replies: "Towards Rahul."
On July 10, Headley writes another mail to Member A: "The visit to Rahul's place, is it for checking real estate property like before, or something different and if so please tell what you can please. Also is it in Rahul's city or different one?"
To this Member A replies: "There are some investment plans with me, not exactly at Rahul's city but near that. Rest we can decide when meet according to your ease."
The codeword Rahul, FBI notes, certainly pertains to India.
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