David Headley may be extradited

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

District and sessions judge SP Garg, who has been empowered through the Centre government’s notification to hear the NIA plea, is likely to hear the application for issuance of NBWs. Applications for non-bailable warrants have also been moved against two senior officers of the Pakistani army.

NIA had booked all accused under various provisions of the Indian penal code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act.

These deal with waging war against the government, conspiracy and procuring arms and ammunition. As investigations are in the crucial stage, it was imperative for NIA to seek issuance of NBW to begin the next step — issuance of red corner notice through Interpol.