'Did FBI give intel on Headley prior to 26/11?'

The Communist Party of India-Marxist on Tuesday expressed serious concern over Indian investigating agencies not being allowed to interrogate alleged Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative David Coleman Headley and sought to know the steps being taken by the government in the matter.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, party member Brinda Karat claimed that Headley, earlier a drug smuggler, worked as an undercover agent of the US intelligence agency CIA since 1999 and the US government helped him make frequent trips to Pakistan.

He even travelled to India after the Mumbai attacks. The FBI was aware of Headley's antecedents even before Mumbai attacks, she said, adding, "We want to know did FBI pass on real time intelligence to Indian agencies."

Karat asked why Indian investigators were denied access to Headley when FBI was allowed to interrogate Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist caught alive in 26/11 attacks.

"Did our Prime Minister raise the issue with the US President," she asked. She also wanted to know what steps are being taken to ensure that Indian investigators question Headley at the earliest.

A number of members associated with her on the issue.