In a recent development concerning the infamous 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, a Delhi court on Monday reserved its decision on extending the custody of Tahawwur Hussain Rana. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has requested an additional 12 days to hold Rana, who was previously remanded to 18 days of NIA custody.
The decision came after Rana was presented before Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh upon the expiry of his initial custody period. The proceedings were held under tight security, with Rana’s face being covered, reflecting the high-profile nature of the case.
The court’s impending order, expected to be pronounced soon, follows submissions by Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan and Special Public Prosecutor Narender Mann, representing the NIA. The agency argued the necessity of extended custody to further investigate the intricacies of the 26/11 conspiracy and to facilitate Rana’s visits to various locations significant to the investigation.
Rana, a known associate of 26/11 mastermind David Coleman Headley, was extradited to India following a US Supreme Court decision on April 4, which rejected his plea against extradition. His defense, led by Advocate Piyush Sachdeva from the Delhi Legal Services Authority, contends for his rights under custody, which the court has partially accommodated by allowing medical exams every 24 hours and legal visits every alternate day.
This case traces back to November 26, 2008, when ten terrorists from Pakistan launched a devastating attack on Mumbai, targeting a railway station, two luxury hotels, and a Jewish center, infiltrating via the Arabian Sea.
