The NIA told the court that the accused needs to be confronted with several pieces of evidence, including “voluminous documents”, which makes it necessary to continue questioning him.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi court on Thursday granted permission to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to record the voice and handwriting samples of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the main accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Earlier this week, on Monday, Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh extended Rana’s NIA custody by another 12 days. His earlier 18-day custody had ended, following which the NIA requested more time to interrogate him. Rana was brought to the court under tight security with his face covered.
The NIA told the court that the accused needs to be confronted with several pieces of evidence, including “voluminous documents”, which makes it necessary to continue questioning him.
The NIA also shared the progress of their investigation over the past 18 days during an in-chamber hearing with the judge.
Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann, representing the NIA, told the court that Rana has not been cooperating with the investigation.
Rana was first remanded to NIA custody on April 10 for 18 days. The NIA has claimed that he was involved in a criminal conspiracy related to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. As part of this conspiracy, David Coleman Headley, another key accused, had allegedly discussed the entire plan with Rana before travelling to India.
Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian citizen, was extradited to India from the United States earlier this month. He was brought to the country in a special chartered Gulfstream G550 aircraft. Rana is considered one of the main masterminds of the 26/11 attacks.
He is facing serious charges including criminal conspiracy, waging war against the Government of India, murder, forgery, and offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Sources have stated that the NIA is also interrogating Rana based on intercepted conversations he had with David Headley. In one such call, Rana reportedly said that the Lashkar terrorists who carried out the Mumbai attack should be rewarded by Pakistan.
According to documents from the US Department of Justice, Rana wanted these terrorists to receive “Pakistan’s highest gallantry award.”
In the recorded conversation, Rana told Headley that the attackers should be honoured, saying:
“The Lashkar terrorists who attacked Mumbai should be rewarded by Pakistan” and that they deserved “Pakistan’s highest gallantry award.”
26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks
The 26/11 Mumbai attacks took place on November 26, 2008, when 10 Pakistani terrorists entered Mumbai through the Arabian Sea. They launched coordinated attacks on multiple high-profile targets including:
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (railway station)
- Hotel Taj Mahal Palace
- Hotel Trident (Oberoi)
- Leopold Cafe
- Nariman House (Jewish centre)
The attackers killed 166 people and injured hundreds more during a terrifying siege that lasted for almost 60 hours.
