Mumbai terror attack mastermind David Headley neither in Chicago nor in hospital, says his lawyer

Recent reports had said Headley suffered serious injuries and was rushed to North Evanston hospital, where he was admitted to the critical care unit.

Washington: Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley is neither in Chicago nor in hospital, his lawyer said on Tuesday, dismissing reports that the prime accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack case was battling for his life in the US city after being beaten by inmates at a detention centre.

"Although I cannot disclose his location, he is neither in Chicago nor in a hospital," John Theis, Headley's lawyer said. Media reports had said that Headley was attacked by two inmates at a Chicago prison on July 8 and that he was admitted to an intensive care unit of a hospital in the city since then.

"I am in regular communication with Mr. Headley. There is no basis for the report in the Indian press," Theis said. 

The reports had said Headley suffered serious injuries and was rushed to North Evanston hospital, where he was admitted to the critical care unit.

He has been sentenced to 35 years in prison by a US court for the 2008 terrorist attack on Mumbai that killed more than 160 people. Headley, who recced various Indian cities including Mumbai before the 26/11 attacks, was arrested in 2009.

On Monday, US authorities refused to comment on the reports. "We are not able to locate information about this individual," the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago said in a brief email response to PTI when asked about the reported prison incident.