Deposing in the 2008 Mumbai attacks case, Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley today refused to answer questions about his wife Shazia to whom he had disclosed about his links with LeT
Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist turned approver David Headley on Wednesday deposed before the special TADA court on Wednesday.
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The Pakistani-American appeared for his cross-examination by Abdul Wahab Khan, lawyer of Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, who is facing trial in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case.
In his statement to the court, Headley revealed that he had donated around Rs 60 to 70 lakhs to terrorist organisation LeT in 2006.
Deposing before the special TADA judge G A Sanap from an undisclosed location in the US with his attorney Sara, Headley was questioned about his wife and his income from LeT by Khan. Headley snapped back saying that Wahab was asking him a nonsense question.
Wahab asked Headley, "What is the name of the father of Shazia (Headley's wife)? Headley replied, "Why is it necessary? Is there even any relevance?"
Headley also told the court that he is still married to Shaziya Gilani. Khan asked, "Is Shazia still in the US?" Headley replied, "I do not wish to disclose her location." His lawyer also stated that it was for security purpose that they couldn't reveal the location.
Headley added, "I will not answer any question about my wife, you can ask about me, I am making it that clear."
Headley also answered some questions saying that Shazia had never visited Mumbai. He revealed that she was originally from Pakistan and that she was aware about his relation with LeT. When Wahab asked whether Shaziya objected to his relation with LeT, Headley repleid, "My matter with her is personal, whether she objected or not."
Even after that Wahab asked him as to whether Shaziya was happy with his association with LeT? Headley snapped at Khan saying, "You want me to explain to you in Urdu I am not sharing what was said between my wife and me? Don't you understand English? Urdu mein samjao?"
But Wahab persisted with he same line of questioning. He asked, "Did Shazia knew about you changing name?, Before applying for name change did you inform Shaziya? Did she object to change of name?" Headley had the same reply for all the queries -- that he was not going to reveal anything about his communications with his wife .
On his military school friend Dr Tahawwur Rana, Headley told the court that he did disclose to Rana that he was spying for LeT near the end of conspiracy to attack Mumbai.
Headley also told the court that in the project previous to Mumbai attack, Rana was working with him in the Denmark attack conspiracy.
On his investments
Headley also told court that he had invested his money that he earned during his drug smuggling days in UAE. He revealed that he had invested in a few shops.
When Wahab asked him whether he had invested funds that he received from LeT, Headley replied, "I never received funds from LeT, I gave some to them." When Wahab asked him if the investment in Pakistan was from LeT and drug smuggling funds, Headley snapped saying, "Do you understand when I said I did not receive any funds from LeT. Shayad Samaj aaye apko mein Urdu mein samjao?"
Headley, noting that Wahab was laughing, said, "Your client's life is relying on this case you should not make joke out of it." Khan still persisted leading an irritated Headley to say, "This is nonsense completely," to which the judge asked him to be polite. Headley replied, "I am being polite, so I am answering in a way he might understand may be."
Donation to LET
Headley told the court that he donated Rs 60 to 70 lakhs to LeT. "I donated Rs 60 to 70 Lakhs to LeT, may be in 2006. I donated money with no specifications whether it is use for Denmark attack, Kashmir or Mumbai attacks. The money was used for many things."
Headley also told that the money donated was in Pakistan currency. The money he donated was from Headley's business in New York and property brought and sold from Pakistan, he told the court.
When Wahab asked, "It is my case that part of donation was used for Mumbai attack" to which Headley said, "I think it is not possible as I last gave money to LET was in 2006."
Headley also told court that he was earlier convicted twice in drug smuggling cases -- once in 1988 and 1998 -- and even there he had pre-bargaining deal.
Headley also told the court that Drug Enforcement Agency of US had financed his visit to Pakistan.
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