David Headley pleads guilty;will act as witness if pardoned

Mumbai: On Thursday, the Pakistani-American LeT terrorist, David Coleman Headley will appear before a Mumbai court in the 26/11 terror attacks case.

Headley appeared before a Mumbai court via video-conferencing today and confessed to being a member of the Lashkar-e-Taiba – the terror group responsible for the attacks. Earlier, Headley’s offer to turn an approver was conveyed to the court by special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who sought time to consult with investigating officers on this point. In 2013, he was sentenced by a USA court for his role in the 26/11 attacks.

Headley, accused of conducting a special reconnaissance of targets before the Mumbai terror attack, was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment by the USA court. “I also agree to be available as a witness in this court”. “Headley has proposed that he wants to become an approver provided he is given pardon. I had pleaded guilty to the charges in the USA and I admitted that I was participant in these charges”, Headley told the court earlier this evening.

He added he had accepted the responsibility for his role in the offences in the U.S. and also to make himself as witness in the Mumbai court. While imposing the pre condition that he shall reveal all information relating to the attack, the court granted his request and made him an approver in the case. The police’s application also noted that Headley entered into a plea bargain agreement with U.S. authorities in 2010, and thereby willingly and voluntarily agreed that he was part of the conspiracy behind the November 26, 2008 attacks in Mumbai which claimed 166 lives. Last month the court had taken strong exception to the fact that Headley despite playing such a major role had not been made an accused in the case.

Asked if he was threatened by anyone or under any pressure to testify, Headley said, “there is no pressure except for the pressure of plea agreement”.

For latest news on mobile and tablet, download IndiaTV Android app and iOS app.