Ishrat Jahan case: SIT looks at David Coleman Headley angle

In an important move in connection with the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case the Ishrat-SIT is all set to gather information from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) about its interrogation of American-born Lashker-e-Taiba terrorists David Headley.

Sources familiar with the development told DNA that the Ishrat-SIT may approach NIA in a short time to know what Headley said about Ishrat Jahan.

Ishrat-SIT is also focusing on other aspects of the investigation, but the Headley angle remains important. After it commenced investigation into the case, the Ishrat-SIT also recorded statements of several people associated with the case.

Sources familiar with the development said that SIT will contact NIA and will demand papers of Headley's interrogation.

The development may give a new twist to the entire investigation.
Headley, during his questioning by NIA, had apparently claimed that Ishrat, the Mumbai girl killed in a police encounter in Ahmedabad, was a suicide bomber of LeT.

Headley had told this to the four member team of NIA sleuths during their visit to Chicago in the US. Headley had also alleged that Ishrat was inducted by top LeT operative Muzamil.

Ishrat was killed along with Javed Sheikh alias Pranesh Pillai and two Pakistani nationals - Amjad Ali and Jishan Johar Abdul Ghani - on June 15, 2004.

It should be noted that the Ishrat SIT has also sought permission from the court to question suspended IPS officer DG Vanzara and police officer, NK Amin.