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Rana, identified as one of the masterminds of the deadly 26/11 attacks, has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
26/11 plotter Tahawwur Hussain Rana seen with NIA officials after his extradition in New Delhi. (IMAGE: SOURCED)
Tahawwur Rana Extradition: In a major breakthrough, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was extradited to New Delhi from the United States on Thursday. He was produced before a Special National Investigation Agency court in New Delhi after he was arrested by the NIA.
Rana Produced Before Delhi Court, Order Reserved
Rana, who was brought to the national capital from the United States on Thursday evening, was produced before NIA judge Chander Jit Singh, who heard the arguments on the terrorist’s custody proceedings, news agency PTI reported.
The court has reserved the order after hearing the arguments.
Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann represented the NIA, while Rana was provided legal aid counsel by the Court.
He was brought in a cavalcade of multiple vehicles, including jail van, armoured Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) vehicle and an ambulance. Ahead of the production of Rana before the court, the Delhi Police removed mediapersons and members of the public from the court premises, citing security concerns.
During the hearing, NIA said that as part of the criminal conspiracy, David Headley had discussed the entire operation with Tahawwur Rana before his visit to India. Anticipating potential challenges, Headley had sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets.
26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack Plotter Tahawwur Rana Taken In NIA’s Custody, First Photo Surfaces
The probe agency has sought 20-day custody for Rana from the Court.
The terrorist arrived on a special flight escorted by a joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
NIA Formally Arrests Rana
The investigative agency “formally arrested” Rana—a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin who had been living mainly in Chicago—soon after he stepped off the plane, following all required legal procedures.
The NIA said the extradition was facilitated with active assistance from the US Department of Justice and US Sky Marshal, with Indian intelligence agencies, the NSG, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs playing key roles in the coordination process.
The NIA team had travelled to the US after US Supreme Court dismissed Rana’s review plea seeking an emergency stay on his extradition to India.
What Are The Charges Against Rana?
Rana, identified as one of the masterminds of the deadly 26/11 attacks, has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
He is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Gilani and operatives of Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) to execute the attacks that killed 166 people and injured over 230 in Mumbai in November 2008, the NIA said in its press release.
In its charge sheet filed in December 2011, the NIA accused Rana, David Headley and six others of planning and executing terror attacks in India. It included statements of 134 witnesses, 210 documents and 106 emails, including one from David Headley’s wife who “congratulated” him for his graduation and also said that she “saw the show (broadcast of the terror attack) all day”. Headley and Rana were in constant communication in the run-up to the 26/11 attacks, emails accessed by NIA showed.
He is expected to be lodged in Tihar Jail in the national capital.
(With inputs from agencies)