India will continue to press for Headley extradition

Notwithstanding the US administration's refusal to extradite Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist David Headley, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case, India will continue to press for his extradition and will also seek access to his accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana.

Meanwhile, the US is yet to accede to the National Investigation Agency's request for access to Headley's wife Shazia Gilani, his girlfriend Portia Peter and one more female friend.

The US has conveyed that it cannot make any commitment without the consent of the persons concerned. "So, we are seeking their consent to question them," said a home ministry official.

"We have been assured access to Rana and we hope to question him soon. A formal request for questioning Rana has been sent to the US," said an official.

Though Indian officials had limited access to Headley, they have not been able to question Rana so far.

On January 17, a Chicago court sentenced Rana to 14 years in jail followed by five years of supervised release for providing material support to LeT and for backing a "dastardly" plot to attack a Danish newspaper.

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