26/11: David Headley ready to turn approver if Mumbai Sessions Court grants him pardon

Mumbai: David Coleman Headley, the Pakistani-American LeT terrorist serving prison sentence in the US, on Thursday told a court in Mumbai that he was ready to depose and turn approver in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack trial if he was given pardon. Headley appeared before the sessions court through a video link from an undisclosed location in the US. Ujjwal Nikam, the special public prosecutor, told the judge GA Sanap that Headley was ready to turn “approver” if given pardon. [caption id=“attachment_2332292” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A file image of David Headley. Ibnlive image[/caption] As Nikam sought some time to consult the investigating officers, the court adjourned the proceedings for half an hour on Thursday evening. “I have received the charging document filed against me in this court. It charges me with same conduct for which I was charged in the US. I had pleaded guilty to the charges in the US and I admitted that I was participant in these charges,” Headley told the court. “I accepted responsibility for my role in those offences in my plea agreement (in US). I also agreed to make myself available as a witness in this court. I appear here ready to answer questions regarding these events if I receive a pardon from this court,” he said. At this point, Nikam said that Headley had proposed to become an approver provided he was given pardon. The prosecutor then requested the judge to adjourn the hearing for half an hour, so that he could consult the investigating officers about Headley’s offer. Earlier, the judge explained to Headley the charges against him. On 18 November, the court had said that Headley must be produced through video conference on 10 December as it allowed the Mumbai police’s plea to make him an accused. Headley is currently serving 35 years in an American prison for his role in the Mumbai terror attacks. The police had said he should be tried by the Mumbai court along with the key conspirator Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal. Following this, the court took `cognisance of offences’ against Headley. The offences with which Headley is likely to be charged by Mumbai court are distinct and separate than the offences with which he had been charged and punished in the US, the police had said then. The police’s application also noted that Headley entered into a plea bargain agreement with US authorities in 2010, and thereby willingly and voluntarily agreed that he was part of the conspiracy behind the 26 November, 2008 attacks in Mumbai which claimed 166 lives. PTI