Tahawwur Rana is known to be a close associate of David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Gilani, who was the main conspirator behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Mumbai: Today, 28th April: In a case related to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, a court in Delhi has granted a 12-day extension of custody of Tahawwur Rana to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is India’s leading anti-terror investigation agency.
Rana was produced before Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh amid tight security, with his face covered, following the expiry of his 18-day NIA custody
The court accepted the NIA’s request, allowing them to continue questioning Rana for a deeper probe into the 2008 terror attacks.
In the court, senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann are expected to put forward their arguments on behalf of the NIA.
The arguments will take place in an “in-camera” hearing, meaning the public and media will not be allowed inside the courtroom during the proceedings.
Advocate Piyush Sachdeva from the Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA) has been appointed to represent Rana in the case.
Tahawwur Rana is a businessman of Pakistani origin who holds Canadian citizenship. He is known to be a close associate of David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators behind the 26/11 attacks. Rana was earlier lodged in a jail in the United States. India had formally requested the US government for his extradition to face investigation here. After his legal battle failed, the US Supreme Court dismissed his review petition against extradition on April 4.
Following this, Rana was flown to India in a special aircraft on April 10, marking a major step in India’s efforts to bring all those involved in the 26/11 attacks to justice.
While granting the 12-day extension, the judge allowed Rana to meet his lawyer but laid down some strict conditions. The judge ordered that Rana could only use a “soft-tip pen” and that he could meet his lawyer only “in the presence of the NIA officials, who would be out of audible distance.”
During the court proceedings, the NIA explained how Tahawwur Rana was deeply involved in the criminal conspiracy behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The agency stated that accused number 1, David Coleman Headley, had “discussed the entire operation with Rana before he visited India.”
The NIA further informed the court that Headley had sent an email to Rana listing his belongings and assets before he undertook his activities in India, suggesting careful planning.
“Anticipating potential challenges, Headley sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets,” the NIA submitted.
In addition, the NIA said that Headley had also shared information with Rana about the involvement of other Pakistani nationals like Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in the conspiracy.
“Headley also informed Rana about the involvement of Pakistani nationals Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman, who are also accused in the case,” the agency said.
All these crucial facts were presented before the Special Judge at the Patiala House Court in Delhi.
The NIA argued that extending Rana’s custody was important for piecing together the full conspiracy behind the deadly attacks. The agency told the court that Rana needed to be taken to various locations connected with the 17-year-old crime to retrace the sequence of events.
Seeking more custody, the NIA stated, “A detailed investigation is required. He has to be confronted with a lot of evidence. His statements would lead to additional discoveries.”
The agency also mentioned that Rana’s links with other terrorists and other accused individuals needed thorough investigation to complete the case.
The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks remain one of the darkest chapters in India’s history. On November 26, 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists entered Mumbai through the Arabian Sea. They carried out a well-planned and brutal attack at multiple locations, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi Trident Hotel, and the Jewish Chabad House.
The attacks lasted nearly 60 hours and left a devastating impact, killing 166 innocent people, including foreigners, and injuring hundreds more.
