NIA Seeks Police Custody of Tahawwur Rana for 12 More Days
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought 12 more days of police custody to continue its probe into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, after Tahawwur Hussain Rana completed an 18-day NIA remand.
Rana, a close associate of 26/11 Mumbai attacks conspirator David Coleman Headley, was produced before a special NIA court today. The investigative team led by senior advocate Dayan Krishnan appeared in court, while advocate Piyush Sachdeva, appointed by the Delhi Legal Services Authority, will represent Rana.
The hearing comes shortly after Mumbai Police Crime Branch officials interrogated Rana at the NIA office in Delhi, where he was reportedly uncooperative and gave evasive answers during an eight-hour-long questioning session.
Rana was extradited to India after the US Supreme Court rejected his review petition against extradition on 4th of this month. His extradition marked a significant breakthrough for agencies investigating the 2008 Mumbai attacks that left 166 people dead.
The development is seen as a major step forward in the investigation into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, which was carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. The attack targeted several locations in Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi Trident Hotel, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station.
Rana's extradition to India is a significant milestone in the investigation, as it provides a key witness to the probe. Rana's testimony is expected to shed light on the planning and execution of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
The NIA has been investigating the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack since 2011, and has arrested several individuals in connection with the attack. However, Rana's extradition marks a significant breakthrough in the investigation, as he is one of the key conspirators in the attack.
The NIA has already completed its initial interrogation of Rana, and has sought 12 more days of police custody to continue its probe. The court has reserved the order, and is expected to deliver its verdict soon.
In the meantime, Rana will remain in police custody, where he will continue to be questioned by the NIA investigators. The investigation is expected to continue for several more weeks, before the NIA files its chargesheet in court.
