Those in government circles who handled the Headley case from the start, during UPA rule, are sceptical. Former home secretary G.K.
Those in government circles who handled the Headley case from the start, during UPA rule, are sceptical. Former home secretary G.K. Pillai, who handled the Headley case, told this newspaper that Islamabad can stonewall any fresh attempt by New Delhi to bring up Headley’s confessions, dismissing it as “evidence given to an Indian court which in no way can interfere with the judicial processes in Pakistan’”.
Mr Pillai said “at best India can request a Pakistani court to make Headley a witness and hold a similar video-conferencing with him in its case against accused Sajid Mir and others in the 26/11 case in Pakistan”. He said India can also make a plea to the United States to allow Headley’s deposition in a Pakistani court as well. Mr Pillai said India had shared “eight dossiers” with Islamabad on the 26/11 attacks, and any new dossier will not bring any headway in the case.
Pakistan is, meanwhile, yet to take any action against the leadership of terror outfit JuD, which is believed to have masterminded the Pathankot attack. On top of that, the deposition of Headley — who confirmed the role of Pakistan’s ISI in the Mumbai 26/11 attacks — is expected to further make it difficult for India to go ahead with the foreign secretary-level talks in the total absence of any Pakistani inclination to act against both LeT and JuD, the sources said. Through the day, the external affairs ministry maintained a studied silence on the implications of Headley’s deposition.
Headley, who is serving a 35-year sentence in the United States, confirmed before a Mumbai court on Monday that his handlers were LeT’s Sajid Mir and that he also took instructions from ISI’s Maj. Iqbal. Reacting to Headley’s disclosures, Mr Rijiju said: “The difference between state and non-state actors will come to an end after this.”
“It is known that who all were involved. Headley’s statement will lead to a logical conclusion. It will help us,” the minister added. Union minister Kiren Rijiju maintained the fresh revelations by Headley, about his background and his working style, would help the Indian investigators and prosecutors.
Government sources said India will tell Pakistan to use Headley’s testimony to identify and prosecute Maj. Iqbal, Sajid Mir and his other Pakistan handlers. They said Headley’s deposition strengthens what is already known in India about the ISI’s involvement and Pakistan allowing its soil to host terror training camps.
Meanwhile, Headley’s disclosure on the role of his associate and 26/11 accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana also strengthens India’s case to seek Rana’s extradition from the United States. Sources said India’s extradition request remains pending with the US authorities, which is examining it. Headley has disclosed it was Rana who had helped him get the Indian visa. Headley met Rana in a military school in Pakistan’s Punjab province and Rana was his schoolmate for five years. After school, Rana became a doctor in the Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi.
