Today, On 11th April, The National Investigation Agency (NIA) informed the court that Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, may have planned similar attacks in other Indian cities. Rana is currently facing extradition proceedings. The agency emphasized the seriousness of the threat posed by his alleged involvement.
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) asserted on April 10 in a Delhi court that it suspects key conspirator Tahawwur Rana is linked to potential terror plots similar to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, aimed at multiple cities across India.
This claim was presented before Special Judge Chander Jit Singh, who subsequently remanded Rana to 18 days of NIA custody.
In the court’s order, the judge instructed the NIA to conduct a medical examination of Rana every 24 hours and permitted him to meet with his lawyer every alternate day.
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Additionally, Rana was allowed to use only a soft-tip pen and could meet his lawyer in the presence of NIA officials, ensuring they remained within audible distance.
During the proceedings, the NIA emphasized the necessity of Rana’s custody to thoroughly investigate the conspiracy. They indicated that his presence was required at various sites to help retrace events from 17 years ago.
A source revealed,
“His (Rana) prolonged custody has been deemed necessary to facilitate an extensive interrogation aimed at uncovering deeper layers of the conspiracy. We suspect that the tactics used in the Mumbai attacks were intended for execution in other cities as well, prompting investigators to examine whether similar plots were developed elsewhere.”
To gather critical evidence and reconstruct the events from the past, officials may transport Rana to significant locations, which would aid in piecing together the crime scene and understanding the broader terror network involved.
The court proceedings were attended by several high-ranking officials, including NIA Deputy Inspectors General, one Inspector General, and five Deputy Commissioners of Police from Delhi.
Rana will remain in NIA custody for the next 18 days, during which the agency intends to conduct detailed interrogations to fully unravel the conspiracy behind the devastating 2008 attacks that resulted in 166 fatalities and over 238 injuries.
Tahawwur Rana, accused of facilitating the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, arrived in Delhi around 6:30 PM on Thursday on a special flight from the United States. Accompanied by a team of Indian intelligence and investigative officers.
Rana’s extradition is considered a significant diplomatic and legal victory for India in the quest for justice for the 26/11 attacks that claimed 166 lives.
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.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed Advocate Narender Mann as the Special Public Prosecutor for the trial of Tahawwur Hussain Rana.