2 min readNew DelhiJun 13, 2011 09:03 PM IST
First published on: Jun 13, 2011 at 09:03 PM IST
The government is mulling filing a charge sheet against Lashkar-e-Taiba operative David Headley in connection with Pune’s German Bakery blast in 2010 and press for his extradition for it.
Headley,during his testimony before a Chicago court in the trial of his accomplice Tahawwur Rana,had admitted that he did the recce and took photographs of the popular hang-out in Pune,official sources said.
“It is a vital admission and we are considering to make him a co-accused in the charge sheet. We will also press for his extradition in this case,” an official,privy to the development,said.
Officials said Headley’s extradition should not be an issue in German Bakery case as the Pakistani-American had entered into the plea bargain with the US authorities in connection with the Mumbai attack case.
The government is expecting all relevant documents related to Rana’s trial to be received from the United States within the next 15 days.
“After studying the documents,we will take a decision on seeking access to Headley. If necessary,we will send a team to the US,” the official said.
At least seven persons were killed and 60 others were injured when a powerful blast rocked Pune’s German Bakery on February 13,2010.
India hopes that the testimony of 26/11 accused Headley that ISI and its operatives were involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks will put pressure on Pakistan on its links with the terrorists.
Headley’s statement that the Pakistani spy agency and its operatives like Major Iqbal and LeT founder Hafiz Saeed had helped him in laying the groundwork for the Mumbai attacks has exposed Islamabad’s role in 26/11,officials said.
The issue was also discussed during the meeting between Home Minister P Chidambaram and his American counterpart Janet Napolitano here last month.
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