Govt speaks in contradictory voices over 'missing' visa papers

Confusion over the visa papers of two terror suspects arrested in the US persisted today with minister of State for external affairs Shashi Tharoor indicating that David Headley's papers were untraced, but his own ministry maintaining that such a conclusion would be inaccurate.

Reports that the papers relating to issuance of visas to Headley, an American-Pakistani, and Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian-Pakistani issued by the Indian Consulate in Chicago, have led to a major controversy prompting external affairs minister SM Krishna to state that government has asked for a "preliminary report" from Consul General Ashok Atri on the issue.

"After I get the report, we will see how we can proceed with it. I do not pre-judge anything that has appeared in the media but certainly the government is aware of its responsibilities and we will discharge that", Krishna said.

However, giving another dimension, Tharoor said, "Rana's visa papers have been found. We are tracing those of Headley's."

He was asked to comment on reports about the disappearance of documents related to the visas issued by the Indian Consulate in Chicago.

The ministry sought to downplay the whole issue saying it would not be correct to conclude that the visa applications were missing.

In a statement, official spokesman of the ministry said, "The visas in question were issued to these two individuals on 18th July, 2007 and 3rd March, 2006 respectively. A one-year business visa was issued to Rana on 31st October, 2008.

"It would not be accurate to conclude that these visa applications are missing. All relevant information in this regard is being shared with the investigating agencies," the spokesman said.

Earlier, when asked about media reports of missing visa papers, foreign secretary Nirupama Rao said, "I have asked for a factual report. The matter is under investigation".

"There is a procedure. I will not answer any questions in this regard," she added.

In response to queries, the Consulate in Chicago said, "We have not reported loss of any papers regarding issuance of visa to David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana. Relevant information concerning the issuance of visa to these persons is available with the government of India."

49-year-old Headley and Rana (48) were issued multiple-entry visas at the discretion of the then Consul General, and both had travelled to India on these visas.

While Headley was issued a five-year multiple-entry business visa in July 2007, Rana was given a one-year business visa and both were also exempted from police reporting if their stay was less than 180 days at a single stretch.

Headley, who changed his name in order to present himself as an American, who was neither Muslim nor Pakistani, made five trips to Mumbai — in September 2006, February and September 2007, and April and July 2008 — each time taking pictures and making videotapes of various targets, including those attacked in November 2008.