Court Sends Tahawwur Rana to 18-Day NIA Custody in Mumbai Attack Case

New Delhi, April 10 : In a significant development, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was placed under the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for 18 days. This decision followed his return to India and was announced by the Patiala House Court on Thursday evening, after a lengthy hearing that lasted until midnight. Although the NIA had requested a 20-day remand, the court approved 18 days for further questioning.

Tight Security for Rana’s Transfer and NIA Custody

Upon his arrival at Palam Airport in Delhi, Tahawwur Rana was escorted by the NIA team under tight security. From there, he was transported directly to the Patiala House Court for the legal proceedings. In the court, his representation was provided by lawyer Piyush Sachdeva, appointed by the Legal Services Authority. The NIA presented its case through counsel Dayanan Krishnan, who highlighted the importance of extending Rana’s remand to unravel further details of the 26/11 attacks.

The court’s decision has led to heightened security as Rana will be transferred to the NIA headquarters for further questioning. A dedicated security arrangement has been put in place to ensure his safe transit from the court to the NIA office. Investigations will begin immediately on Friday morning after Rana spends the night in custody.

The 26/11 Mumbai Attacks and Rana’s Role

Tahawwur Rana is one of the key figures involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, where ten gunmen carried out coordinated strikes across several locations in Mumbai. The attacks included assaults at key landmarks such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Oberoi Trident Hotel, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, and several other sites. The terrorists held the city hostage for two days, leading to the deaths of at least 166 people and leaving over 300 injured.

Rana’s connection to the attacks comes through his association with David Coleman Headley, who was the primary planner of the operation. The NIA has brought forward evidence, including emails exchanged between Headley and Rana, which allegedly discuss the planning of the terror operation. According to NIA officials, Rana’s role in facilitating the attacks, including providing logistical support, will be crucial to the ongoing investigations.

The Role of Tahawwur Rana in the Attack’s Planning

NIA’s investigation into Rana’s involvement revolves around a series of emails sent by Headley before the attacks, detailing operational plans and discussing key conspirators like Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman. The NIA has emphasized that Rana’s custody is essential to comprehensively investigate his role in the conspiracy, and the information he holds will be pivotal in exposing further details of the 26/11 attacks.

As investigations continue, the NIA is focusing on questioning Rana about his involvement in the attacks and his links with Headley, as well as his direct contribution to the planning stages of the assault.