BJP slams Union Government on Headley extradition issue

New Delhi, Mar 19: Union Government on Friday faced flak from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for not seeking extradition of the 26/11 Mumbai terror accused, David Coleman Headley, from the United States, where he is facing trial.

Addressing the media in the national capital, BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy questioned the government's abilities to pressurize Pakistan, a hostile country, to hand over fugitives when it could not ask the US to hand over Headley.

'The question would be asked today from the Government, how can you pressurize Pakistan which is a hostile state to give back the fugitives if you cannot ask US to hand over a fugitive who is responsible for the 26/11,' Rudy said.

Headley pleaded guilty on Thursday to scouting targets for the deadly 2008 assault on Mumbai, and plotting an attack on a Danish newspaper.

He pleaded guilty to 12 counts, including conspiring to bomb and murder U.S., Indian and Danish citizens, and supporting the Islamist militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber said. No sentencing date was set.

In the agreement with prosecutors, Headley promised to cooperate and provide testimony against others in exchange for a pledge that he would not to be extradited to India, Pakistan or Denmark.

Rudy further said the BJP would not accept anything less than extradition and trial of Headley on Indian soil.

'The Bharatiya Janata Party will accept nothing less than having Headley's extradition for a trial in Indian courts on Indian soil,' he said.

He also said that Headley seemed to be given a virtual amnesty by the US.

'It seems that Headley has been given a virtual amnesty, a clemency and it's a matter of deep concern for us,' Rudy said.