NIA moves HC for NBWs against Saeed, Headley

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has moved a Delhi court for issuance of non-bailable warrants against LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, Pakistani-American terror suspects David Headley, Tahawwur Hussain Rana and LeT operative Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi on the charge of plotting terror attacks in India.

Two senior officers of Pakistani army — Major Iqbal and Major Sameer Ali — are also among those against whom the NBW has been sought by the NIA.

The accused have been booked under various provisions of the IPC, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act, dealing with waging war against the Indian government, conspiracy and procuring arms and ammunition. “All the accused are at present residing outside India.

The investigation in the case is at a crucial stage and thus, it is imperative for the NIA to seek issuance of NBWs in order to take necessary steps towards further investigation like issuance of Red Corner notice through the Interpol,” the plea filed by the NIA said.

While Headley and Rana are now in the custody of FBI at Illinois in the USA, Pakistan is reluctant to take action under its own law against Hafiz Saeed.

“The present case is of immense national importance and investigation conducted so far has revealed extensive roles played by these accused towards commission of offences alleged in the FIR,” the NIA said in its application.

District and Sessions Judge S P Garg, who has been empowered through the Centre’s notification to hear the NIA’s plea, is likely to hear the application for issuance of NBWs.

The NIA, in the FIR, discussed the inputs provided by the FBI saying a detailed probe was required to unravel the entire conspiracy hatched by Headley and others to foment trouble and carry out terror attacks here.

The Pakistan-based handlers were in constant touch with Headley and Rana to launch terror attacks in India, it said adding Major Iqbal and Major Sameer Ali, who hailed from Lahore and Karachi respectively, are members of Pakistan army.