David Headley

David Headley will not be sentenced to death but limited to life imprisonment. Media men in India are shouting against USA on this matter and loudly expressing doubt over integrity of America. They are putting stress on various points such as America has ditched India, America is playing dual game, even after proving of charges and admission of guilt by Headley USA has not sentenced him to death, USA is not ready for extradition of Headley to India, America executes plan to kill Osama and Saddam who perpetuated terror against Americans but not ready to do the same for a person who was involved fully in horrendous terror attack on 26/11 in Mumbai and so on....

Some leaders of opposition parties are also endorsing the opinion of media men who are loudly blaming USA in Headley matter
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As far as extradition of Headley is concerned, India government has got no right to ask for extradition as long as Indian government files a valid case against him and make Headley a party in terror plot on 26/11 attack in Mumbai.

Secondly India was not able to trap David Headley. Indian investigating teams who were entrusted the task of catching the culprits behind Mumbai terror attack failed to do their job properly, efficiently, effectively and adequately inspite of lapse of more than two years. They submitted a list of alleged plotters and perpetuators of terrorism and closed the task of investigation an interrogation.

When America caught Headley and revealed the story of involvement of Headley in Mumbai terror attack, India added a new dimension to the matter and concentrated on Headley and making follow up with USA authorities. India did not hesitate to stop follow up with Pakistan with same seriousness as it was a year ago. Rather Indian government diluted the gravity of the matter when Indian government begged dialogue with Pakistan though the same UPA government had promised not to have dialogue with Pakistan as long as they punish and extradite the alleged terrorists to India.

Thirdly India wants America to do its job of trapping and punishing terrorists .Indian government has not hanged Afzal guru even though Apex court awarded death sentence to him long ago. Indian government has failed to award death sentence to Kasab who was caught red handed committing terror attack and whose involvement is crystal clear to all. On what ground media people aspire and claim that America should hang Headley or extradite him to India is a big question which media people should answer and not spoil much time on such sensitive issues. I strongly condemn media people who try to expose the details of investigation while it is in process of finding the truth.

Fourthly, it is American court and American government which succeeded in their investigation and awarding of punishment to culprit in such a short time. Even now they expect to further unravel the story of other terrorists as also that of Pakistan who were indulged in Mumbai attack. India should rather be obliged to USA that they have caught the real culprit Headley and helped our country to redesign the charge sheet .It is the American’s efforts on Headley that falsified the theory of Pakistan and proved involvement of Pakistan in terrorism.

It astonishes that for years together Headley lived in India, traveled to Pakistan and other countries but none could notice his activities and doubt his integrity. It is because officers and politicians in India can be bought by bribe and Headley like criminals can approach any office if he is ready to pay bribe, offer gifts and indulged in flattery to top officials and politicians. Even investigating teams and Inquiry committees can be persuaded and purchased to alter their findings and submit diluted report. It is very easy for criminals to commit crime in India and get rid of punishment. Rather criminals also manage entry in Parliament and state assemblies to play the role of Vibhishan.

Finally it is also a fact that America is still in continuous touch with Indian authorities on the matter related to terrorism and expressed readiness to allow interrogation of Headley by Indian officers through video conferencing.

As such there is no justification in pointing out accusing fingers towards America by media men or opposition party leaders.

Need of the hour is to introspect and find out the faults of Indian government, Indian judiciary and Indian administrative system.

Why do we always fail to trap the culprit and nip in the bud? UPA government scrapped POTA only because it was framed by its rival party saying that there were enough laws to trap the culprit and punish the culprits. But unfortunately UPA government failed completely to prove what they told .while removing POTA.

Yesterday cabinet passed Anti Hijacking bill which enables death sentence to hijackers. One hijacking took place in 60 years of freedom and Indian government was constrained to surrender and bargain with hijackers and ultimately free already caught terrorists. How can Indian government dream of awarding death sentence to such hijackers who are beyond their capacity to trap them? When Indian system is unable to stop domestic terrorism spreading in entire country in the name of Naxalism, one cannot imagine of the system catching hijackers and awarding death sentence to hijackers.

On the contrary hundreds of terror attacks and Naxal attacks have taken place in India during last three decades and there is no death penalty for those who commit such dreadful, devilous and destructive attacks. Indian government could not even prove their charges against any terrorists or naxalites and their involvement in such an effective way that Indian court could award death sentence or life imprisonment. So far as I know , none of cases against terrorists have reach its logical conclusion during last three decades. Yes there much Hallah-bullah against Sadhwi Pragya in Malegaon blast case because the case was used as a weapon to kill the rival party known as BJP. Obviously passing of such bill as Anti Hijacking Bill is nothing but a cruel joke with Indians who expect effective laws, assertive will and expeditious execution of plans to deal with terrorism.

I however admire Home Minister Mr. P Chidambaram who is doing his best to fight against terrorists and naxalites and he has also succeeded in trapping a few terrorists before they could commit and cause loss to Indians during last one year of his assignment. He has undoubtedly succeeded in controlling and reducing the terror incidents. His stand on Headley and his views on role of America in Headley case are to the point and correct as of now.

Danendra Jain,
Ganaraj Choumuhani Agartala 799001
20th March 2010.