India expressed disappointment at the acquittal of Tahawwur Hussain Rana in the Mumbai terror strike conspiracy, and used the occasion to pressure Pakistan to bring the plotters to justice.
"The judicial process has taken a particular view. We are not entirely satisfied. (But) it is a judicial process. We can't dictate. That is the law of the land," external affairs minister SM Krishna said on Friday.
But pointing out that 26/11 plotter-turned-star witness David Headley's testimony in the Chicago court had nailed Pakistan's role in 26/11, he added, "It is in Pakistan's own interest, in the interest of the region and that of bilateral relations that the Mumbai conspiracy be investigated in a transparent manner. It is something Pakistan must consider seriously."
"Pakistan has not been playing fair with us and we would expect it, in the larger interest of bilateral relations, to come clean on these issues."
"We are disappointed that Rana was acquitted on the count of conspiracy to provide material support to the Mumbai terrorist attacks," said UK Bansal, secretary, internal security, in the home ministry.
The National Investigation Agency has registered a case in the 26/11 case and was waiting for proceedings to get over in the US before chargesheeting Headley and Rana in India, Bansal said.
The NIA has asked US investigators to provide some documents and evidence produced at the Chicago trial.
{{/usCountry}}The NIA has asked US investigators to provide some documents and evidence produced at the Chicago trial.
{{/usCountry}}According to Bansal, the agency will examine the verdict and the documents, which it hopes to get soon. After that, it will decide on the chargesheet.
Bansal also stated that US investigators had produced evidence at the trial that showed Headley had told Rana about his work in Mumbai, and that Rana had given Headley a cover - opening an office for his company, First World Immigration Services - for his activities in Mumbai.