US based Lashkar terrorist David Coleman Headley arrested by the FBI on charges of plotting attacks in India and Denmark, had visited
Lucknow and Ahmedabad, apart from Mumbai, during his nine trips to India between 2006 and April 2009.
As Indian investigating team that had gone to the US to question terror suspects David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana returned without being allowed access to the two accused, fresh leads showed that Rana and his wife were present in Mumbai just five days before the 26/11 attacks while Headley had visited New Delhi this March.
New Delhi had handed over a questionnaire to the FBI as the investigating team comprising operational chiefs from IB and RAW were unable to interrogate the two suspects because of legal complications.
"The two accused have entered some pleas in US courts because of which their interrogation by any foreign agency was not permissible," said a government official. He said the US authorities had otherwise extended all cooperation to the Indian team and briefed them extensively on the details of the case.
David Coleman Headley had visited India at least seven times but, thanks to visa rules, never had to register himself with the immigriation authorities. The 26/11 case may take a new twist with Headley's name cropping up as a suspected support.
Officials said Headley came to India between November 2006 and July 2008. "Headley travelled on a multiple-entry visa and entered the country at least seven times. But he never registered himself with the security agencies as it was not a must for him (according to the category of the visa he held),'' an official said.
The Mumbai crime branch charge sheet in the 26/11 terror case does not mention Headley or associate Tahawwar Hussain Rana's name. The charge sheet has, however, mentioned 35 other foreign conspirators.
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