On Monday, the court extended Rana’s custody with the NIA by another 12 days, following the expiry of his earlier 18-day remand. He was brought to court under heavy security, his face concealed.
The NIA, represented by senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann, argued that Rana was uncooperative during interrogation and still needed to be confronted with substantial evidence, including a large volume of documents.
The agency also updated the Special Judge on developments from the past 18 days during a private, in-chamber session. The NIA alleged that David Coleman Headley, another plotter in the Mumbai attacks, had discussed the entire operation with Rana.
Pakistan-born Canadian citizen Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 64, who played a key role in the devastating 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was brought to India from the US in a special chartered Gulfstream G550 aircraft earlier this month. Identified as one of the masterminds of the deadly 26/11 attacks, he has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Rana is being questioned about his intercepted remarks on 26/11. In his intercepted call with David Headley, he had said that the Lashkar terrorists who attacked Mumbai should be rewarded by Pakistan, sources said. Rana wanted them to be honoured with Pakistan’s highest gallantry award, according to a US Department of Justice document.
On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India’s financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea. As many as 166 people were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault.