Question : DIRECT ACCESS TO HEADLEY

(a) whether it is a fact that India has received a set back in David Headley confession that he was involved in terrorist attacks in India;

(b) If so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Union Government has requested the US Government for direct access to David Headley, one of the masterminds of Mumbai attacks and also sought his extradition to India;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the US Government has shared any information with the Government of India in this regard; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the further steps taken in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S. M. KRISHNA)

(a) & (b): No.

(c) to (f): Yes. The Union Government has requested the US Government for direct access to David Headley as soon as possible. The US Administration is working through its legal system on the issue of provision of access to David Coleman Headley and are supportive of our request for provision of such access.