India has sought access from the US to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack convict David Headley and his accomplice Tahawwur Rana, both of whom were sentenced by a Chicago court after being found guilty of terrorism charges.
While there was no official word from either side on the issues discussed in particular those with reference to Headley and Rana, officials said it was prominently raised by home minister Sushilkumar Shinde during his meeting with US Attorney General Eric Holder.
"Shinde and Holder agreed that the ministry of home affairs and the (US) department of hustice should work together institutionally, so as to ensure the best possible outcomes within the laws of the two countries, to address pending issues relating to extradition, execution of letters rogatory and red corner notices, as well as other areas of cooperation in law enforcement, counter terrorism and judicial processes," an official Indian statement said.
Though India got access to Headley, who carried out a recce of the 26/11 targets for the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, the US has not given any opportunity to question Pakistani-Canadian Rana, Headley's US-based wife Shazia, his girlfriend Portia Peter and another female friend.
While Headley has been given 35 years in prison by a Chicago court for his involvement in 26/11, a sentence that has left India disappointed, Rana has been given 14 years in jail followed by five years of supervised release for providing material support to LeT and for backing a “dastardly” plot to attack a Danish newspaper.
{{/usCountry}}While Headley has been given 35 years in prison by a Chicago court for his involvement in 26/11, a sentence that has left India disappointed, Rana has been given 14 years in jail followed by five years of supervised release for providing material support to LeT and for backing a “dastardly” plot to attack a Danish newspaper.
{{/usCountry}}Indian investigators believe that if they could further quiz Headley and others, many hidden information could come into light.