India will be satisfied if Headley gets life sentence: Pillai

"The US Attorney General has advised a sentence of life imprisonment. If he gets a sentence of life imprisonment, I don't think government of India will be unsatisfied," he said here.

He said other details of his accesibility for questioning by India, interrogation or about giving testimony have to be worked out in the coming weeks.

In the first official reaction after 49-year old Headley pleaded guilty last night before a Chicago Court, Pillai said, "All that we know is that he has pleaded guilty to all 12 counts which were charged against him. In one sense that is good because that would ensure that he gets major sentencing."

The Home Secretary said it has to be seen if foreign judicial testimony can be allowed.
"We will have to work out details with the United States government agencies and that is a matter of detail to be worked out in coming weeks after his sentencing is over," he said.

On the question of Headley's interrogation by Indian agencies, Pillai said, "What I understand...even from the TV channel showing discussion with his (Headley's) lawyer that he would be available for questioning by Indian agencies. So we have to work out details. At this moment it would be speculation."

Headley last night pleaded guilty to all terror charges before a US court. Under the plea bargain, he has escaped death penalty. He also cannot be extradited from the US.
Headley was arrested by FBI's joint terrorism task force on October 3 and has been in custody since then.