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It is for probe agencies to comment on Rahul, says Mahesh Bhatt

Last Updated 13 November 2009, 08:44 IST

"I think the onus is on the national security agencies to answer this pointed question (about Rahul). I feel as a responsible citizen, I should not indulge in a game of trivialising such a serious issue," Mahesh Bhatt said.
"It is an issue which is very serious. It concerns not only my security and the security of my family but the security of the nation. The agencies are there to answer these queries. It is not right for me to indulge in small talk about matters like these," he said.
His brother and Bollywood producer, Mukesh said the intelligence agencies have given Rahul a "clean chit" because there is nothing beyond it.
"What I gather is whatever they have spoken, the intelligence people have given him a clean chit absolutely because there is nothing beyond it," he said.
Asked about reports that Rahul is being questioned by the FBI, Mukesh said, "No, I don't think so at all, he was not questioned. He went infact and told whatever he knew. He just happened to bump into this character (Headley) in a gym just like anybody can bump into anybody and there is nothing beyond that at all."
E-mails sent by Headley, a US national, to his handlers from terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba had mentioned one 'Rahul' and the probe agencies have been investigating who that person was.
Asked for how long did Rahul know Headley, Mukesh said, "I don't know. This has come as a surprise, so that thing you should be asking them (probe agencies). It is not about how long, it is just that he met him at a gym, but that does not mean you know a person that well.
"I know he is clean, so there is nothing to worry," he said.
About Rahul's reaction, the Bollywood producer said, "He is fine but he is shocked. He didn't imagine that a person who looked so simple could be involved in such kind of activities."
The government has said the National Intelligence Agency has registered a case against Headley for allegedly plotting terror attacks in India. It has also said that it has enough evidence to show he had links with Pakistan-based LeT.
Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters yesterday that besides Headley, the NIA has also registered a case against his Canadian accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana. Headley is at present in custody in the US.
The duo were booked under Unlawful Activites (Prevention) Act and for conspiring to wage war against the country.
Maintaining that Headley had visited India "several times before 26/11 and once after" the Mumbai terror strikes, Chidambaram said, "We are conducting investigations in the cities he visited to find out whom he met and what he did." The Mumbai attack last November left 183 persons dead.
Meanwhile, a top Home Ministry official has claimed that the investigators have enough evidence to show Headley's link with LeT and that the Government is all set to produce the documents before the US court in January next and press for their extradition to India.

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(Published 13 November 2009, 08:44 IST)

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