LeT wanted to kill Thackeray: Headley
MUMBAI: March 25, 2016, DHNS:
A Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative tasked to assassinate Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray was arrested by the police but managed to escape, David Coleman Headley–one of the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks–told a court on Thursday.
The Mumbai Police, however, could not immediately link the statement of the 56-year-old with the crime records.
Deposing before additional sessions judge G A Sanap, who presides over anti-terror cases, Headley confirmed for the second time that Thackeray was indeed a LeT target.
During his cross-examination by advocate Abdul Wahid Khan on his visits to the Shiv Sena Bhawan at Dadar and the purpose, Headley said, “Twice...the Lashkar wanted to target the chief of Shiv Sena.”
Khan is the defence lawyer of Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari, the Indian accused who is facing trial. When asked to give the name, Headley said, “Mr Bal Thackeray.” For a supplementary on when they wanted to execute the plan, he said, whenever the chance arose.
Asked who instructed him to visit the Sena headquarters, he gave the name of his Lashkar handler Sajid Mir. Specifically asked whether there was any attempt on Thackeray's life, he said he does not have first hand knowledge but there was an attempt.
Asked which year that was, Headley said: “I don't remember...I think the person was arrested but escaped from police custody.”
Last month, during his examination-in-chief by special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, he admitted the Sena chief was a target and that he had visited Shiv Sena Bhawan twice and even befriended Rajaram Rege, who claimed to be the PRO of Uddhav Thackeray. Asked which other leader was being targeted, Headley said: “I don’t know who else, I know only what I was tasked.”
Supervised release
Headley also told the court that in the 26/11 case, in which he has been awarded a 35 years sentence by the US court, supervised release is also part of his sentence like in case of the drug-related offences.
“As per the US law, I have to compulsorily undergo 85 % of my sentence and I don’t know if my sentence can be terminated before completion of 85 per cent sentence.”
He also told the court that within half an hour of his arrest by FBI he had started cooperating with them and gave them all information.
Headley also said that he was also interrogated by a team of NIA officials from India and he had cooperated with them too.
The Mumbai Police, however, could not immediately link the statement of the 56-year-old with the crime records.
Deposing before additional sessions judge G A Sanap, who presides over anti-terror cases, Headley confirmed for the second time that Thackeray was indeed a LeT target.
During his cross-examination by advocate Abdul Wahid Khan on his visits to the Shiv Sena Bhawan at Dadar and the purpose, Headley said, “Twice...the Lashkar wanted to target the chief of Shiv Sena.”
Khan is the defence lawyer of Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari, the Indian accused who is facing trial. When asked to give the name, Headley said, “Mr Bal Thackeray.” For a supplementary on when they wanted to execute the plan, he said, whenever the chance arose.
Asked who instructed him to visit the Sena headquarters, he gave the name of his Lashkar handler Sajid Mir. Specifically asked whether there was any attempt on Thackeray's life, he said he does not have first hand knowledge but there was an attempt.
Asked which year that was, Headley said: “I don't remember...I think the person was arrested but escaped from police custody.”
Last month, during his examination-in-chief by special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, he admitted the Sena chief was a target and that he had visited Shiv Sena Bhawan twice and even befriended Rajaram Rege, who claimed to be the PRO of Uddhav Thackeray. Asked which other leader was being targeted, Headley said: “I don’t know who else, I know only what I was tasked.”
Supervised release
Headley also told the court that in the 26/11 case, in which he has been awarded a 35 years sentence by the US court, supervised release is also part of his sentence like in case of the drug-related offences.
“As per the US law, I have to compulsorily undergo 85 % of my sentence and I don’t know if my sentence can be terminated before completion of 85 per cent sentence.”
He also told the court that within half an hour of his arrest by FBI he had started cooperating with them and gave them all information.
Headley also said that he was also interrogated by a team of NIA officials from India and he had cooperated with them too.
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