NIA intensifies investigation into terror plot
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday took 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana into 18-day custody, during which he will be questioned in detail to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly terror strike. The anti-terror agency had produced Rana before the NIA Special Court at Patiala House after formally placing him under arrest on his arrival at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here on Thursday evening, following his successful extradition from the US.
The court on Friday sent Rana to 18-day NIA custody, following which he was brought from Patiala House courts complex to the NIA headquarters in a heavily-secured motorcade comprising Delhi Police’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and other security personnel. Rana will be kept in a highly secured cell inside the anti-terror agency’s head office at CGO complex here, officials said.
“Rana will remain in NIA custody for 18 days, during which time the agency will question him in detail in order to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks, in which a total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured,” said a statement issued by the probe agency soon after the court’s order.
In a day of fast-paced developments linked with the extradition of Rana, the NIA took his custody on the orders of the special court in New Delhi, it said. NIA had secured Rana’s extradition from the US following years of sustained efforts, and after the terror mastermind’s last-ditch efforts to get a stay on his extradition from the US failed.
Rana was brought to New Delhi Thursday evening, escorted by teams of NSG and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles. The extradition finally came through after Rana’s various litigations and appeals, including an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, were rejected. With the coordinated efforts of India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the relevant authorities in the United States, the surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist was eventually secured, and the extradition was carried out, the statement said.
Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann, who are representing the NIA sought custody of Rana, produced 11 pm (Thursday) at the Special Court headed by judge Chander Jit Singh at Patiala House court complex. Advocate Piyush Sachdeva from Delhi Legal Services Authority represented the accused, Rana, as he could not arrange an advocate.
Ahead of the production of Rana, Police removed mediapersons and members of the public from the court premises, citing security concerns. Rana, immediately after he landed at the Delhi airport following his extradition from the United States, said NIA. He was escorted to Delhi by teams of NIA and National Security Guard (NSG), comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles.
Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the three-day terror siege of India’s financial capital. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared terrorist organizations by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Among the 166 killed were US, British, and Israeli nationals. Besides, 238 were injured in the deadly attacks carried out by a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists on a railway station, two luxury hotels, and a Jewish centre after they sneaked into Mumbai through the Arabian Sea.
Rana had served in the Pakistan Army medical corps before emigrating to Canada in late 1990s and started his immigration consultancy firm. He later moved to the US and set up an immigration service office in Chicago. Through his firm, Rana gave cover to Headley to carry out reconnaissance mission in Mumbai so that the terrorists could launch the attacks.
The officials said Rana’s extradition would help probe agencies expose the role of Pakistani state actors behind the 26/11 attacks and may shed new light on the investigation. His extradition from the US could provide important leads into his travels in parts of northern and southern India days before the carnage in 2008, NIA officials said. Rana visited Hapur and Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Kochi in Kerala, Ahmedabad in Gujarat, and Mumbai in Maharashtra with his wife Samraz Rana Akhtar between November 13 and November 21, 2008, they said.
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He should be given fair trail & Judge should declare him NOT guilty and India should send him back Porkistan on a special flight with military honors
He should be fed special Briyani all the days in custody.
Else India’s judiciary will be questioned and will be looked down by Porkistan & rest of the Western world.
Thanks to Khangress & India media for actively supporting terrorism & terrorists.
PGURUS to be questioned why it is publishing this news !!! When news blackout is order of the day.