26/11: Headley seeks pardon ready to turn approver

New Delhi, Dec 10: David Headley has told the court if he is granted pardon he is ready to be a witness in the 26/11 case. Appearing for the first time before any Indian court Headley was today produced via video conferencing.

Headley who is currently lodged in a jail in the United States of America told the Mumbai court that he is ready to be a witness if he is pardoned by the court. Headley has already confessed to his role in the 26/11 attack before the FBI and is even serving a sentence.

The court which had ordered that Headley be made an accused is yet to decide whether his plea to turn approver should be allowed or not. Headley also confessed to the court he was a member of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and also admitted that he had surveyed the targets at Mumbai which were attacked on 26 11.

Headley will continue being tried through video conferencing. Even if the court were to convict him he cannot be brought to India as a result of his plea bargain with the US authorities.

The‎ Mumbai court is hearing a case pertaining to the 26/11 attack in which it is also trying another accused Abu Jundal alias Zabiuddin Ansari. Last month the court had taken strong exception to the fact that Headley despite playing such a major role had not been made an accused in the case.

On November 18th, he was formally made an accused in the case. Headley would continue to depose in this case through video conferencing. He cannot be extradited to India or tried in person.

His in-absentia trial is a result of a plea bargain arrangement that he made with the US authorities at the time of his arrest. As per the agreement, Headley cannot be awarded a death penalty. The agreement also makes it clear that he cannot be deported to either India or Denmark, the two countries where there are cases against him.

Headley had played a crucial role in the 26/11 attack. He had visited Mumbai more than once and carried out a reconnaissance of various targets. It was the inputs that he had provided which was used by the Lashkar-e-Tayiba which sent in ten terrorists to stage the deadly 26/11 attack.

OneIndia News