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Title: Need to take steps to facilitate interrogation of Headley, an accused in 26/11 incident in Mumbai.
SHRI M.B. RAJESH (PALAKKAD): I would like to draw the attention of this House and also the Government to a very important issue relating to the national security of our country. David Headley, who now appears to be the prime conspirator and the perpetrator of the heinous crime of 26/11, is in the custody of FBI in the United States. Since he is the one who conspired and guided 26/11 attack, India has every right to interrogate him. But the United States authorities have strangely denied our request to interrogate this prime accused in the 26/11 attack on Mumbai. At the same time, we should remember that the Government of India had no hesitation in allowing the FBI to interrogate Kasab, the only remaining link in the 26/11 attack.
This is the case and it has now become clear that the United States does not want to allow the Indian investigators to interrogate Headley because it has appeared in the newspapers that this Headley is having close links with the American Drug Enforcement Agency. And he may possibly have links with the CIA also. So, it is now clear that in the past, even after the 9/11 incident, this Headley had traveled frequently and freely in and out of Pakistan and also other countries, which the US consider to be the hotbeds of terrorism. It has come in the Press that the new name, Headley, was given to him by the United States Intelligence Agencies. The episode also exposed the subservient character of the Government of India’s alliance with the United States. It is unfortunate that the Government of India is not bold enough to demand the integration of Headly. Hence, I urge upon the Government to take immediate steps to ensure that Headley will be interrogated by the Indian Intelligence Agencies.