Ready to turn approver if pardoned in 26/11 case: Headley

David Coleman Headley, the Pakistani -American LeT terrorist serving prison sentence in the US, on Thursday told a city court that he was ready to depose and turn approver in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack trial if he was given pardon.

Headley appeared before the sessions court through a video link from an undisclosed location in the US. Ujjwal Nikam, the special public prosecutor, told Justice GA Sanap that Headley was ready to turn “approver” if given pardon.

As Nikam sought some time to consult the investigating officers, the court adjourned the proceedings for half-an-hour.

“I have received the charging document filed against me in this court. It charges me with same conduct for which I was charged in the US. I had pleaded guilty to the charges in the US and I admitted that I was participant in these charges,” Headley told the court.

“I accepted responsibility for my role in those offences in my plea agreement (in US). I also agreed to make myself available as a witness in this court. I appear here ready to answer questions regarding these events if I receive a pardon from this court,” he said.

At this point, Nikam said that Headley had proposed to become an approver provided he was given pardon. The prosecutor then requested the judge to adjourn the hearing for half an hour, so that he could consult the investigating officers about Headley’s offer.