LeT terrorist David Headley strikes deal with US govt; pleads guilty to planning 26/11 attack, in return, escapes trial, execution and extradition to India

Headley may get life term

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Headley may get life term

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LeT terrorist David Headley strikes deal with US govt; pleads guilty to planning 26/11 attack, in return, escapes trial, execution and extradition to India

US citizen David Coleman Headley, accused of plotting the 26/11 attacks at the behest of Lashkar-e-Taiba (and conspiring to target a Danish newspaper), pleaded guilty to all terror charges before a Chicago court early this morning.

In a plea bargain, Headley has been assured of no extradition to India in return. Also, there will be no death penalty and he won't be allowed extradition to Denmark and Pakistan. Moreover, there will be no trial for Headley, the plea agreement said.

In changing his plea, Headley admitted to 12 counts of conspiracy. Prosecutors will therefore ask for a lesser sentence, but US District Court Judge Harry Leinenweber said he could still get a life term.

Headley's attorney, John Theis, said that as per his plea agreement his client may be eligible for "downward departure", which is an even lighter sentence than life imprisonment, conditional upon his continued cooperation.

Valuable info

US Attorney General Eric Holder said,u00a0 "Headley is providing us valuable intelligence about terrorist activities."

Wearing an orange jumpsuit with hands and legs shackled, Headley was produced before the court under unprecedented security arrangements. Security forces along with sniffer dogs were deployed. Special metal detector doors were erected at the entrance of the packed court room.

Wife to be quizzed

With India failing to gain access to Headley, agenciesu00a0 have now sought access to his wife (of Pakistani origin) and ex-wife (American) to ascertain whether they had any knowledge about his activities in India. A senior official said, "Access to these women does not seem to be difficult as they,u00a0 are not under any detention."

Who is Headley, asks family

Now that he's admitted to his role in the Mumbai attack, even members of his family are wondering who Headley really is.

"I was really shocked. And just didn't expect something like that," said William Headley, his uncle.

David Coleman Headley was born in 1960 in Washington, DC, but with a different name: at birth -- Daood Gilani.

His uncle said. "He was the first baby I had anything to do with; he was the first baby I ever touched. And somewhere I have a photograph of me in my pyjamas holding little Daood. He was a nice-looking little baby."