By SUNIL Sonkar

New Delhi, March 19 — American national David Headley accused of helping to scout out Mumbai in preparation for a rampage by Lashkar-e-Toiba pleaded guilty on Thursday to all terror charges before a US court in Chicago.

In his plea bargain, David Coleman Headley has been assured of no extradition in return to India. He has also been assured of no death penalty. However, the Indian authorities can access Headley in US and can directly question him. They are now studying closely the US laws to get to know the modalities of the plea bargain.

The deal that was agreed on between the US prosecutors and Headley needs that he may have to testify, while in US custody, in a foreign court.

According to the agreement, when he will be directed by the US Attorney’s Office, he has to completely and truthfully testify in any foreign judicial proceedings that will be held there by way of deposition, video-conferencing or through letters rogatory. This means that he will be questioned under the eye of American authorities and in US.

This is clear that Headley could have to testify in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial that is presently underway in Mumbai.

The ball is in India’s court now because the plea agreement does not foreclose India’s option of getting access to Headley. Now India has to take advantage of this opportunity and question him directly.

According to the plea agreement, David Headley won’t be allowed extradition to Pakistan and Denmark and there will be no trial for him. The plea agreement said, “The defendant shall not be extradited to the Republic of India, the Kingdom of Denmark, or the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, respectively, for any offenses for which he has been convicted in accordance with this plea.”