New Delhi:
Home Secretary G K Pillai has told NDTV that anything less than a 20-year sentence for David Coleman Headley, the Pakistani-American who has, in a plea bargain in America, accepted that he helped plan and execute 26/11, would be inappropriate.
Speaking on the possibility of a reduced sentence for Headley Pillai said if Headley gets over 20 years, India can live with it but less than 20 years would mean he's getting away lightly.
No trial, no death penalty, no extradition to India. These are the guarantees offered by America to Headley in exchange for his pleading guilty to the 12 charges of terror he faces in a US court. Charges that include planning and executing 26/11 on behalf of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). (
Read & Watch: No death sentence, extradition for Headley)
India'sHome Minister, P Chidambaram, says this is not a setback for thecountry's 26/11 investigation, and that he "will continue to push formore information and interrogation." (
Read: Headley deal not a setback for India, says Chidambaram)
Butthe BJP has differed, making it clear that without the right tointerrogate Headley, India's inquiry and trial on 26/11 will suffergreatly. (
Read: Headley interrogation critical for 26/11: BJP)
Whatthe government has to figure out is whether it will merely be able topose questions to 49-year-old Headley, or whether it can actuallyinterrogate the man who has admitted he played a key role in thecountry's worst-ever terror attacks. (
Read: Will India get to interrogate Headley?)
Americansources say Headley is likely to face life imprisonment and a fine of3,000,000 dollars. But India is concerned that the man who helped kill160 people in Mumbai may eventually win a lighter sentence. A paragraphon page 14 of Headley's plea agreement states, "(Headley) hasdemonstrated a recognition and acceptance of responsibility for hiscriminal conduct ...if the defendant continues to accept responsibilityfor his actions including furnishing the US attorney office with allthe requested financial information relevant to satisfy any fine thatmay be imposed in this case ...a two-level reduction in the offenselevel is appropriate." (
Read: US statement on Headley pleading guilty)
Ithas to contend with the fact that America believes that Headley is aconsiderable asset in unraveling terror networks around the world. Inthe plea agreement, America says, "David Headley is providing us withvaluable intelligence about terror activities. As this casedemonstrates we must continue to use every tool available to defeatterrorism at home and abroad."
That gives plenty of ammunition to those who believe Headley is a double agent and is being protected by America. (
Read: Headley guilty - Why the plea deal?)
Thespeculation that Headley is a CIA agent gone rogue stems from the factthat America has admitted it was watching him for more than a yearbefore his arrest. Yet, it did not alert India to a man who wasinstrumental in its biggest-ever war with terror. (
Read: Who is David Headley?)
Infact, Headley was under surveillance a month before 26/11 - and by thistime, the FBI had details on potential terror strikes against Indianhotels. Yet, the FBI did not share any intelligence with India. Butworst of all is the fact that Headley visited Mumbai after 26/11 -America knew of this visit - and even this was not shared with India. (
Read: 26/11 Most Wanted)
WhatIndia has to do now is utilise the plea bargain to get some sort ofaccess to a man who is likely to have innumerable answers to some ofthe questions that confound Indian security agencies everyday.