New Delhi:
Hours before David Headley is to appear before a Chicago court for his role in the 26/11 terror attacks, Home Secretary G K Pillai has told NDTV that it would be "disturbing" if the American terrorist is let off.
"India will lodge a strong protest if Headley is let off lightly," he said, adding, "Our ultimate aim is to get Headley extradited. We will continue to demand access, and that will be easy if he's out of court jurisdiction."
But the Home Secretary also said that Headley is not a US agent - as widely rumoured. "The Americans have told us that David Headley is not their agent; we believe them," Pillai said, adding, "If the US had known that there was an anti-India plot, they would have told us; they have cooperated with us in providing answers."
At the 26/11 court in Mumbai, where terrorist Ajmal Kasab and others are being tried, Headley is just one of many accused. His absence will not stall or weaken the ongoing trial.
But without Headley, India will not be able to piece together, the stifling patchwork quilt of terror stitched across the subcontinent.
"India will lodge a strong protest if Headley is let off lightly," he said, adding, "Our ultimate aim is to get Headley extradited. We will continue to demand access, and that will be easy if he's out of court jurisdiction."
But the Home Secretary also said that Headley is not a US agent - as widely rumoured. "The Americans have told us that David Headley is not their agent; we believe them," Pillai said, adding, "If the US had known that there was an anti-India plot, they would have told us; they have cooperated with us in providing answers."
At the 26/11 court in Mumbai, where terrorist Ajmal Kasab and others are being tried, Headley is just one of many accused. His absence will not stall or weaken the ongoing trial.
But without Headley, India will not be able to piece together, the stifling patchwork quilt of terror stitched across the subcontinent.
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