Sibal recalled how the NIA worked on the case and raised concerns when some charges were not imposed on Rana in the United States. The NIA even went to the US to question David Headley and collect important information related to the case.
New Delhi: April 11: Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal welcomed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, saying it is a result of efforts taken both by the earlier UPA government and the present NDA government.
Sibal also reminded that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was created during the UPA tenure after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
While speaking at a press conference, Kapil Sibal said:
“Ever since the 26/11 terrorist attack happened in Mumbai and many were killed…it was necessary that those involved in the terrorist act must be punished by the law. I remember that NIA was established during UPA times. NIA registered a case in this incident on November 11, 2009, where the accused were David Headley and Tahawwur Rana.”
Sibal recalled how the NIA worked on the case and raised concerns when some charges were not imposed on Rana in the United States. The NIA even went to the US to question David Headley and collect important information related to the case. He further explained:
“Rana was arrested in Chicago, but he was released. NIA expressed displeasure to the US over the issue, saying that some charges were not imposed. In December 2009, the chargesheet was filed against Rana and Headley and other unknown persons. Through mutual assistance, the NIA team reached America and examined Headley, who was under custody there. The conspiracy was uncovered as this happened.”
Welcoming Rana’s extradition to India, Sibal appreciated the determination of both the UPA and the current NDA governments. He stated that with Rana now in India, it would be possible to uncover the deeper conspiracy and identify other key figures behind the attacks. He said:
“Today, the accused is before us, and things will become clearer as we know that only Tahawwur Rana and David Headley were not the conspirators, but more were involved. It will become clear who else from Pakistan’s establishment was involved in that attack. I congratulate the UPA government for their efforts and also our government for their efforts, which have been successful. We have Tahawwur Rana in India today.”
Tahawwur Rana has been placed under 18-day custody by the NIA, which considers him a major figure in planning the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people and injured over 238. The agency believes that similar attacks might have been planned in other Indian cities, and Rana’s interrogation will help uncover these plots.
Sources said that Rana will be taken to different locations across India to help investigators retrace the events from 17 years ago and reconstruct the conspiracy. This step is important to gather crucial evidence and understand the full plan behind the attack.
Rana was officially arrested after reaching India from the United States, following his failed legal attempts to stop the extradition. He was produced before a special court where the NIA stated that his custody was essential for further interrogation.
Investigators say that David Coleman Headley, another main conspirator in the 26/11 attacks, had informed Rana about the plot before visiting India. Their email conversations are being used as key evidence in the case.
Officials believe Rana worked closely with terrorist groups to plan the attacks and now aim to find out his exact role in helping the attackers.
When Rana appeared in court, tight security arrangements were made. Delhi Police evacuated the premises and restricted media entry to ensure everyone’s safety.
BACKGROUND
US: In a major step toward justice for the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the Supreme Court of the United States earlier rejected the final attempt made by Tahawwur Rana, who is accused of being involved in the attacks, to stop his extradition to India.
This decision has brought him even closer to being handed over to Indian authorities for trial.
The Mumbai attacks, which began on November 26, 2008, lasted for three days and targeted important places like hotels, a train station, and a Jewish center. These deadly attacks killed 166 innocent people. According to Indian officials, the group behind these attacks was Lashkar-e-Taiba, an Islamist terrorist group based in Pakistan.
However, the Pakistan government has denied any involvement in the attacks.
Tahawwur Rana, who is originally from Pakistan but is a Canadian citizen, was living in Chicago, USA at the time. In 2011, he was found guilty in the United States and was given a 13-year jail sentence. At present, he is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.
Rana, who is 64 years old, has strong links with David Coleman Headley, another person who played a major role in planning the 26/11 attacks. Headley, who has Pakistani and American roots, is believed to have visited Mumbai before the attack to gather information. He pretended to be working for Rana’s immigration consultancy business during these visits.
In the US, Rana was convicted for supporting a terror plot in Denmark and also for helping Lashkar-e-Taiba, the same group blamed for the Mumbai attacks.
To delay his extradition, Rana had filed an urgent request in the Supreme Court on February 27. This was called an-
“Emergency Application For Stay Pending Litigation of Petition For Writ of Habeas Corpus”.
The request was submitted to Justice Elena Kagan, who is the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and is also in charge of the Ninth Circuit.
Justice Kagan had earlier rejected this request.
Rana then tried again by renewing the same request, officially called “Emergency Application for Stay Pending Litigation of Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus previously addressed to Justice Kagan,” and asked that it be forwarded to Chief Justice John Roberts instead.
Now, the official website of the Supreme Court has published an update saying,
“Application denied by the Court.”
Earlier this year, in February, during a press conference held at the White House alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former US President Donald Trump made a strong statement about Rana’s case. Trump clearly said that his government had approved Rana’s extradition to India.
He had declared,
“I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and one of the very evil people of the world, having to do with the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack to face justice in India. So he is going to be going back to India to face justice.”
With this final rejection from the US Supreme Court, all legal options in the US for Tahawwur Rana have ended. His extradition to India is now expected to happen soon, where he will have to answer for his alleged role in one of the deadliest terror attacks on Indian soil.
