Rahul Bhatt to be proned on LeT Headley Link

Rahul Bhatt, son of famous filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt admitted being friends with Headley but, in all probability, he didn’t knew Headley’s actual background. Rahul also helped Headley rent a flat near Breach Candy hospital. Rahul was not aware that Headley had links with LeT.
Rahul Bhatt's name appeared when David Headley in his July 8 email to his Pakistan-based handler (mentioned in the affidavit as LeT Member A) wrote while discussing terror plots in India: ‘‘I think when we get a chance we should revisit our last location again and say ‘hi' to Rahul.''

There is the suggestion that Rahul could be a good cover, as on the same day the LeT Member A replied to Headley saying ‘‘to see Rahul is a good idea because have some work for you over there too (Mumbai). Matters are good enough to move forward...'' The next day, Headley responded: ‘‘When you say move forward, do you mean in north direction or towards Rahul.'' The same day LeT Member A responded: ‘‘I mean towards Rahul.''

Rahul's name appeared in more such communication with the last one being recorded on July 10 when LeT leader said: ‘‘There are some investment plans with me, not exactly at Rahul's city but near that. Rest we can decide when meet according to your ease.''

A senior officer in the Union home ministry said Rahul would be questioned by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as he was an important link in the probe into Headley's long stay in Mumbai.

‘‘No one has been given a clean chit so far,'' said the official, adding the NIA is still to gather all details in order to ascertain whether or not Headley might have got some work done through Rahul.

The NIA, which has been mapping Headley's contacts by screening his acquaintances, cellphone and email records, will call Rahul for questioning to verify if they travelled “together or otherwise” in or outside Mumbai. ‘‘We will have to find out whether Headley had used Rahul, and if yes, how was he used, knowingly or unknowingly,'' said the official.