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On Friday, April 11, 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind behind the Mumbai attacks, into custody for 18 days. During this period, investigators will conduct thorough questioning to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy linked to the devastating 26/11 terror attack.
Rana is alleged to have collaborated with David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Gilani, along with members of the banned terrorist organizations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami, both of which are prohibited in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The Pakistani-Canadian national, who was instrumental in orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that resulted in 166 fatalities and over 238 injuries, was apprehended by the NIA upon his arrival from the United States on a special flight on Thursday.
Rana appeared before special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh, who conducted an in-camera session regarding the NIA’s request for a 20-day remand. He was represented by Piyush Sachdeva, appointed by the Delhi Legal Services Authority.
Interrogation has commenced, led by a 12-member team under NIA Deputy Inspector General Jaya Roy, who played a crucial role in securing Rana’s return to India. The questioning will take place in a secure room on the third floor of the NIA office, monitored closely.
Rana’s legal struggles in the United States have been lengthy. He had been in custody there for several years, during which India sought his extradition under the India-US Extradition Treaty. Despite his attempts to halt the extradition process through various legal avenues in US courts, a District Court in California approved India’s request in May 2023, ordering his extradition. Rana subsequently filed multiple appeals with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and even approached the US Supreme Court, all of which were rejected.
(Newsroom staff only edited this story for style from a syndicated feed)
