A Delhi court Thursday dismissed an application by Tahawwur Rana, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack conspirator, seeking permission to speak to his family members.
Rana is in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which opposed the application moved Wednesday before the Court of Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh of Patiala House Court.
According to sources, the NIA submitted that the investigation was at a crucial stage and it did not want any interference. There was also an apprehension, said sources, that Rana could leak sensitive information.
The court had sent Rana to the NIA’s custody for 18 days on April 11.
The Pakistani-Canadian was arrested in Chicago in 2009, the year after the terror attacks in which 166 people were killed. He arrived in Delhi on April 10 following his extradition from the US.
According to sources, the central agency suspects that Rana was behind similar terror plots across India. The agency had reportedly sought his custody for 20 days for a detailed investigation.
The Indian Express has learnt that Rana will be allowed a meeting with his lawyers every alternate day in the presence of NIA officials, who will be at hearing distance. Rana will be provided with a pen and paper during the meetings, it is learnt.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd