Want to question David Headley: Jundal lawyer

Defence informs court that it would take four days to complete cross-examination

Zabiuddin Ansari aka Abu Jundal’s lawyer in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks case on Monday informed the sessions court that he wanted to cross-examine Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley.

The defence informed the court that it would take four days to complete the cross-examination of Headley, who has turned approver in this case and provided crucial information on the role of Pakistan’s Army, ISI and terrorist groups in committing acts of terror in India. While Headley has not spoken about Jundal in his week-long testimony, the defence, however, has sought some time to study documents related to the case so that it can decide if there is a need to cross-examine the witness.

The defence was supposed to inform the special court on February 22 whether it intended to cross-examine Headley and if yes, how much time he would require to do so. Apart from informing the court about his intention to cross-examine Headley, advocate Khan Abdul Wahad also made an application before the court, objecting to Headley being made an approver in the case apart from pleas seeking copies of certain documents and CDs.

When the defence communicated to the court its plan to cross-examine Headley, special judge G.A. Sanap directed special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam to contact US authorities and check their availability so that Headley could be questioned. The judge asked the prosecution to inform the court about availability of US lawyers by February 25 so that the court can fix a date for his deposition.

Headley, who is serving a 35-year jail term in the US in connection with the terror attacks case, had given insights into LeT and al Qaeda’s plans to target India, during his testimony, which began on February 8. He spoke about how Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI provided “financial, military and moral support” to terror outfits LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen and how LeT planned and executed the 26/11 attacks and the role played by ISI officials, involving him as well.