NEW DELHI, Apr 21: Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in Mumbai’s 26/11 terror attack who was extradited to India from the United States earlier this month, has moved a Delhi court seeking the permission to talk to his family members.
Rana moved the plea through his counsel on April 19 before special judge Hardeep Kaur, who on Monday directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to file a reply by April 23. The 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman was on April 10 sent to 18 day NIA custody by a court. The matter will be heard on April 23.
In a major diplomatic success for India, Rana, who was accused of conspiring to execute the 26/11 terror attacks, was extradited by the Trump administration on April 10. His extradition to India brings closure to a 16-year wait and an extended legal battle in the US, forming a key part of India’s investigation into the 26/11 attacks that claimed 166 lives.
Rana has been locked up in the NIA Headquarters and is placed under CCTV surveillance. Earlier, sources said Rana has been offered vegetarian food and was getting enough sleep. The officials have taken particular precautions to ensure he does not resort to self-harm.
The investigative agency is focusing on three aspects of interrogation: the Mumbai terror attacks plot, the role of Pakistan’s ISI in the attacks, and Rana’s links with the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba that carried out the attacks.
He was reportedly being grilled by NIA investigators for around eight to ten hours daily to probe a larger conspiracy behind the 2008 attacks. The investigation is also focusing on Rana’s links with co-conspirator David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen currently imprisoned in that country.
Rana has been charged with numerous offences, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act and forgery in the country. The NIA has alleged as a part of the criminal conspiracy accused David Coleman Headley had discussed the entire operation with Rana before his visit to India.
Anticipating potential challenges, Headley sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets, the NIA told the court seeking his remand. Headley also informed Rana about the involvement of Pakistani nationals Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman, who are also accused in the case, in the plot, it alleged.
(Manas Dasgupta)
