The NIA objected to Tahawwur Rana’s initial plea in the Delhi court, stating that the investigation into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks was at a critical stage and the agency did not want any disruption in the ongoing probe
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Wednesday issued a notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Tihar Jail authorities after Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack conspiracy, requested permission to speak with his family under jail rules.
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The request was made before the Patiala House Court, and Special NIA Judge Chanderjit Singh has now asked the NIA to file a reply and directed Tihar Jail officials to give a report regarding Rana’s application.
Tahawwur Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, is currently in judicial custody and will remain so till June 6. The court has fixed June 4 as the next date for hearing the case.
Earlier, while Rana was in NIA custody, the court had rejected his request to talk to his family over the phone. His lawyer, Advocate Piyush Sachdeva, argued that since Rana is a foreign national, he has the basic right to stay in touch with his family, especially because they are worried about his condition in custody.
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Sachdeva told the court that, “as a foreign national, Rana has a fundamental right to contact his family, who are concerned about his well-being in custody.”
However, the NIA opposed the request, saying that the investigation is still ongoing and there is a risk that sensitive information might be leaked if Rana is allowed to speak to his family during this period.
The court has now sought a detailed report from Tihar Jail authorities to decide whether Rana can be permitted to talk to his family, as per jail regulations.
The NIA collected voice and handwriting samples from Rana after the Special NIA Court granted permission for the same. These samples are expected to help investigators match his voice and writing with the evidence they have collected.
Rana was asked to write down different alphabets and numbers to give handwriting specimens.
His lawyer confirmed full cooperation, saying, “Rana fully complied with the court’s directive to submit these samples.”
These samples are an important part of the investigation because the authorities are trying to verify his alleged connections with those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which were planned and executed by Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terrorist group.
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Rana was extradited from the United States to India after years of legal proceedings. Following his arrival in India, he was taken into NIA custody in New Delhi, where the agency is investigating his suspected role in planning the 26/11 attack.
Background
The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks took place in November 2008 and were one of the deadliest terrorist strikes in India. Over 170 people lost their lives, and hundreds were injured. The attacks targeted major locations like the Taj Hotel, CST railway station, and Leopold Café.
India has been continuously working to ensure that all those involved in the conspiracy are brought to justice. The extradition of Rana marks a major step forward in that effort.
