Commenting on Headley’s Extradition to India ‘Too Premature’: US Official

A top authority in Obama Administration has said that it’s ‘too premature’ to talk about the extradition of US national David Coleman Headley to India for his alleged involvement in 26/11 attacks.

P J Crowley, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, expressed the aforementioned view in response to a query about the latest statement by Indian Home Secretary GK Pillai that India would seek extradition of Headley.

“Obviously, we do have an extradition treaty with India, but how that will work going forward, I think that’s premature,” Crowley, told reporters at a news briefing.

The FBI, earlier this week charge sheeted Headley for being allegedly involved in the Mumbai terror attacks. The Pakistani-born American national was arrested last month in Chicago for allegedly plotting terror attacks in Denmark and India.

“The FBI and Justice Department continue to share information with our foreign and domestic law enforcement partners in the Headley investigation,” Dean Boys, spokesman, National Security Division of the US Department of Justice said.

“As a matter of long-standing policy, we never comment on extradition matters. Headley remains charged in federal court in Chicago and the investigation continues.”

Pillai had told reporters in New Delhi that once probe into Headley’s links with 26/11 attacks was completed by India, the government would seek his extradition.

“Once we file the charge sheet, we will definitely be seeking access for both interrogation and at a subsequent stage, definitely his extradition,” he said.

Headley, 49, is now in a Chicago jail, had pledged not guilty before a Chicago court early this week.