World
Headley’s plea deal requires him to testify via video in foreign trials
Chicago: The attorney here for David Coleman Headley, a key plotter of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has confirmed that he is aware of an Indian court’s request for a video testimony by his client.
Citing attorney-client privilege, John Theis avoided giving any details other than saying that he is aware of the request for videoconferencing by the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) court.
Asked by IANS if Headley will testify via video, Theis pointed to the conditions in his plea agreement with the US government that led to the death penalty and extradition to India being taken off the list of possible consequences for his guilty plea on all counts.
A session court in Mumbai on Wednesday named Headley an accused in the Mumbai terror trial and directed that he testify before via videoconferencing on December 10.
If the language of the agreement is any guide, it is possible that Headley will testify via video.
The plea agreement explicitly says: “Defendant further agrees that when directed by the US Attorney’s office, he will fully and truthfully testify in any foreign judicial proceedings held in the US by way of deposition, videoconferencing or letters rogatory.”
Such plea deals are essentially for life and the one making it is required to cooperate with the authorities whenever asked. With that being the case, there should not be anything standing in the way of his video testimony before the TADA court.
The Department of Justice in Washington, which deals with such matters, did not immediately respond to questions from IANS.
Pakistan-born Headley, born Daood Saeed Gilani, is serving a 35-year sentence after he pleaded guilty to all 12 counts of his involvement in the planning of the Mumbai attacks.
Soon after his arrest at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on October 3, 2009, Headley gave up his right to a jury trial and entered into a plea deal that spared him the death sentence as well as extradition to India.
The Mumbai case has found renewed resonance here in America in light of the multiple Paris attacks which appeared to have been modelled after the former.
The TADA court’s decision to try him as an accused in the case, however, could turn out to be more symbolic since there are no prospects of Headley being extradited to India for the purpose.
The fact that six American nationals died in the Mumbai attacks gave the US authorities precedence over where he stood trial and, if convicted, where he served his prison term.
It was learned by IANS at the time of his trial that Headley was arrested only in connection with the plot for planning to carry out a spectacular attack on the Danish newspaper Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten for its 2005 publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed which many Muslims found offensive.
The information about his involvement in the Mumbai attacks came solely from him. It was only after his arrest that the investigators became aware of his involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks as disclosed by him. That disclosure considerably helped him win the plea deal.
From his interrogation videos it appeared as if Headley was desperate to avoid being extradited to India, aware as he was of the kind of hostility that awaited him there.
Some of the interrogation videos, which were played during his testimony in a Chicago court in May 2011, showed a man almost desperate to cooperate. So much so that at one point he sounded upset that the federal investigators were not fully utilizing his information to make major arrests.
To many, Headley’s eagerness to cooperate and help effect major arrests looked to be part of a strategy to mitigate his own complicity.
On the face of it, there are no hurdles in the way of Headley testifying via video. However, what transpires behind-the-scenes is hard to predict.
His attorney Theis gave absolutely no indication as to what follow-up action may be expected after the TADA court’s request.
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.