Advocate Narender Mann has been appointed as the Special Public Prosecutor for the trial of Tahawwur Rana, who is accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. With more than 30 years of experience in the legal field, Mann has managed numerous significant criminal cases, including those involving corruption and major scams. The Ministry of Home Affairs has confirmed his appointment for a duration of three years or until the trial concludes, whichever is earlier. In this prominent case, Mann will represent the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed Advocate Narender Mann as the Special Public Prosecutor for the trial of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, in Delhi.
Mann, who graduated in law from Delhi University in 1990, has previously represented the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and has been involved in several high-profile cases, including an assassination attempt on former Chief Justice A.N. Ray by Ananda Margis.
From January 2011 to April 2019, Mann served as the Special Public Prosecutor for the CBI in the Delhi High Court.
During his tenure, he managed a variety of legal matters, including criminal appeals, writ petitions, and cases involving the Prevention of Corruption Act, banking frauds, and other significant scams.
In addition to the Margis case, Mann represented the CBI in various other high-stakes investigations, such as the Medical Council scam, AICTE scam, and the Commonwealth Games cases, among others.
According to a notification issued on April 9, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated,
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, read with sub-section of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Central Government hereby appoints Shri Narender Mann, Advocate as Special Public Prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the National Investigation Agency before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a period of 3 years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier.”
Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national, then approached the US Supreme Court, which denied him relief on January 21, 2025. Ultimately, on April 4, the US Supreme Court dismissed his review plea, marking the final step toward his extradition.
Indian authorities allege that Rana provided support to Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, including David Coleman Headley, who conducted reconnaissance missions for the attacks.
Rana is facing charges of criminal conspiracy related to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which led to the death of over 174 people.
On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists launched a coordinated attack in Mumbai, targeting the CST, two luxury hotels, and a Jewish center after infiltrating India via the Arabian Sea. This three-day terror siege resulted in the deaths of 166 people.