Pakistani-American David Headley, the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative has sentenced to 35 years in prison by a U.S. court on Thursday for his key role as the mastermind of 2008 Mumbai terror.
The Justice Department pressed a federal judge in Chicago to sentence Headley with a lighter 30-35 year jail term followed by five years of supervised release by US District Judge Harry Leinenweber.
Rejecting the death penalty for Headley, the court pronounced its verdict after Headley admitted guilt under a plea bargain with the U.S. government in return for his cooperation as a key witness in the case.
Under this bargain plea, Headley provided “valuable” information about the militant outfit and terror which helped to suspect such as co-defendant Tahawwur Rana, Ilyas Kashmiri and several Pakistan-based operatives, reports said.
As per reports, U.S. Attorney Gary Shaprio ruled out extradition of Headley, even not to Pakistan or Denmark for the offences to which he pleaded guilty.
The violation of Headley plea agreement with U.S. could raise chances of his extradition to India, a US federal Attorney said.
Despite America’s refusal to extradite Headley, India seeks to continue to press for 52-year-old Pakistani- American terrorist with chances to get access to his friend Tahawwur Hussain Rana, source said.
U.S. has also rejected India’s request for questioning Headley’s wife Shazia Gilani, his girlfriend Portia Peter and one more female friend, as without persons’ concern, American laws does not allow to access.
Headley arrested under criminal charge of three separate episodes – 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the Jyllands-Posten, a Danish newspaper, attack and cooperation with the Lashkar-e-Taiba.
