Mumbai rejects Headley verdict, demands death

Outrage and anger dominated responses of Mumbai’s survivors of the 26/11 attack to the sentencing of David Coleman Headley.

Rahul Bhatt, son of film producer-director Mahesh Bhatt, called the sentencing “deplorable”. Bhatt, who penned a book on his association with Headley, said, “This is not justice... Headley should have been kept in a Mumbai prison and hanged like Kasab.”

About his interactions with Headley, Bhatt said, “The way he used to behave, I had a hunch he was a US agent but I never suspected him because of his US passport.”

US national Kia Scherr, who lost her husband and daughter in the attack at Hotel Oberoi , said Headley is as guilty as the terrorists. “He did not pull the trigger but made it possible for people... I do not believe in death but am surprised they did not show more value for those killed here,” she said.

Constable Arun Jadhav, the only survivor in the police vehicle that Kasab and his partner hijacked, agreed that 35 years is not good enough for Headley’s crime. “Ideal punishment for perpetrators of the attack was hanging,” said Jadhav.

Tukaram Ombale’s brother, Eknath, said 35 years was not enough. “He planned the attack with minute details. He deserves death.”