A Delhi court on Friday sent Tahawwur Rana, a key conspirator of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, to the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) custody for 18 days. After his formal arrest at around 10 pm on Thursday, Rana was produced by the agency before Additional Sessions Judge (NIA) Chander Jit Singh of Patiala House Court.
The Indian Express has learnt that the NIA sought Rana’s custody stating that he had links with named terrorists and other accused persons in the case. The agency also reportedly stated that Rana was the first accused to be arrested in the case. As per the NIA, the statements of the accused could lead to “additional discoveries”.
Rana, who was arrested in Chicago in 2009, the year after the terror attacks in which 166 people were killed, arrived in Delhi on Thursday following his extradition from the United States.
According to sources, the central agency suspects that Rana was behind similar terror plots across India. The agency reportedly sought his custody for 20 days for a detailed investigation to unearth the full conspiracy and to confront Rana with evidence.
In his order, Judge Singh said, “There is enough material to say that allegations in the present matter pertains to the safety and security of the nation. The material produced on record reflects that conspiracy in question travels beyond the geographical border of India and multiple targets in the form of various places in multiple cities of India including National Capital were sought to be identified. Thus, to reach at the root of the matter and to unearth the facts in the matter which are laid in deep rooted conspiracy, a sustained custodial interrogation is required.”
Rana will now be questioned at the NIA headquarters. He will be produced in court physically after his custody period ends. Before being produced, he will undergo comprehensive medical tests.
“Since, (he)… is the first accused apprehended in the present case, the investigation agency should get a fair chance to thoroughly investigate the matter so as to present before the court complete facts in a holistic manner,” the order further said.
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Rana requested the court that the counsel to be appointed for him must not “appear to earn name and fame through him.”
“Though, the legal service counsel are present pursuant to statutory scheme contained in Legal Services Authority Act, 1987, yet request of accused is accepted and it is directed that Legal Services Counsel shall not speak to media about accused of this case,” the court directed.
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 a hearing distance) and he will be provided with a pen and paper during the meeting.
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