- By Talibuddin Khan
- Fri, 11 Apr 2025 10:35 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Tahawwur Rana Extradition News:The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday began questioning Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the key conspirators extradited from the United States in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks case, after a 16-year-long legal battle. The 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman is alleged to have conspired with David Coleman Headley and Pakistan-based terror groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to orchestrate the deadly three-day assault that killed 166 people and injured over 238 in Mumbai.
Rana was brought to Delhi on Thursday evening by a chartered aircraft under tight security. Soon after, a special NIA court granted the agency 18 days of custody. According to NIA officials, the interrogation will focus on “uncovering deeper layers of the conspiracy” and assessing his suspected role in plotting similar attacks in other Indian cities.
According to a report by PTI quoting sources, Rana is being kept in a high-security cell at the NIA headquarters in the CGO Complex, with round-the-clock surveillance and enhanced perimeter security involving CRPF and Delhi Police.
Top Developments in the Tahawwur Rana Case:
The NIA obtained 18 days of custody from a Delhi court to interrogate Rana in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and suspected terror plans in other Indian cities. “We suspect the tactics used in the Mumbai attacks were intended for execution in other cities as well,” the NIA told the court — as quoted by PTI.
Tahawwur Rana, a close associate of David Headley, allegedly worked with LeT, HuJI, and ISI officials, including Major Iqbal and Major Sameer Ali, to plot the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
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As per NIA records, Rana visited Delhi, Agra, Hapur, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai between November 13–21, 2008 — likely for conducting recce for planned attacks. He may now be taken to these cities for further verification.
The NIA court directed regular medical check-ups for Rana and allowed him access to his lawyer on alternate days. He is permitted to use only a “soft-tip pen” during custody. According to court filings, David Headley emailed Tahawwur Rana classified details about the terror plot, including names of other operatives like Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman, as reported by PTI.
The case against Rana was registered in 2009 under UAPA, the Indian Penal Code, and the SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act. He faces charges of criminal conspiracy, murder and waging war against India. DIG Jaya Roy, the Chief Investigating Officer of the 26/11 probe, is leading the current interrogation — as reported by PTI.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Rana’s extradition a “great success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomacy.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked, “We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.”
Families of 26/11 Mumbai attack victims have welcomed the move and expressed hope that it will lead to complete justice and greater clarity on the full
