David Headley's extradition looks bleak

The US has indicated to India that it would not be able to extradite Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist David Coleman Headley to face trial on the charges of being involved in the conspiracy to attack Mumbai and other vital installations of the country.

The US has indicated to India that it would not be able to extradite Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist David Coleman Headley to face trial on the charges of being involved in the conspiracy to attack Mumbai and other vital installations of the country.

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With extradition out of question, India has now asked to the US to explore the possibility of sending Headley here for some period, say sources.

“We have another option of sending a judicial commission to the US to record Headley’s statement in the US as well, but so far we are sticking to the original demand of sending Headley here,” said an official source.

During the Indo-US homeland security dialogue held in Washington between May 20-22, Indian side, headed by home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, raised the long pending issue of extradition of Headley and his accomplice Tahawwur Husain Rana as they have been chargesheeted by the National Investigation Agency for planning a series of attacks in India after the Mumbai carnage of November 26, 2008.

“But in diplomacy, no country says no in express terms, and there were enough indications from the US side that Headley wouldn’t be sent to India. The American law doesn’t allow such extraditions. Then there was plea bargain with Headley for his deposition against Tahawwur Husain Rana in the US trial which clearly stated that he would not be sent to any other country,” said the source.

According to officials involved in the homeland security dialogue, the US officials have assured the Indian side to positively consider the request.