A Delhi court on Tuesday granted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) additional time to respond to a plea filed by 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who is seeking permission for regular telephonic conversations with his family.
Special Judge Chander Jit Singh adjourned the matter to July 25. The proceedings were held in-camera, with Rana represented by legal aid counsel Piyush Sachdev.
In a partial relief to the accused, the court allowed Rana’s separate request for a bed and mattress in jail, citing his age—over 64—and medical ailments. Prison authorities had opposed the plea, arguing that jail rules permit beds only for inmates aged 65 and above. The court, however, exercised discretion given his health condition.
The NIA informed the court that it had already provided Rana’s complete medical history to prison officials for appropriate care.
Earlier, on July 9, the court had extended Rana’s judicial custody till August 13.
Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian national, is a close aide of David Coleman Headley, the American terrorist who played a key role in planning the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The 26/11 attacks claimed 166 lives and injured hundreds when 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists carried out coordinated assaults on multiple targets, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident, and the Nariman House Jewish centre.
Rana was extradited to India after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final legal challenge against extradition on April 4. He faces trial in India for his alleged role in the deadly conspiracy.
The court will next hear the matter regarding his request for phone access on July 25.
