A Delhi Court on Friday remanded Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, to judicial custody till June 6, 2025. The order came after the National Investigation Agency (NIA)concluded its custodial interrogation of Rana, who was recently extradited from the United States. He has now been transferred to Tihar Jail.
Rana was presented before Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh at Patiala House Courts, a day before his NIA custody was set to expire. After considering submissions made by NIA officials, the court allowed their plea for judicial remand. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on June 6.
Forensic Evidence Collection Approved
Earlier, on May 1, the court had granted NIA permission to collect voice and handwriting samples from Rana, a crucial step in furthering the forensic aspects of the agency’s probe. This move aims to corroborate evidence related to Rana’s alleged coordination with David Coleman Headley, the reconnaissance operative behind the attacks.
Timeline of Court Proceedings
- April 28: NIA sought a 12-day extension of Rana’s custody during an in-camera session. The agency was represented by Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan and SPP Narender Mann.
- April 24: The court rejected Rana’s plea to communicate with his family while in custody.
- April 21: The court issued notice to NIA on the family communication plea, directing a formal response.
Rana’s Role in the 26/11 Attacks
According to the NIA, Tahawwur Rana is a co-conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, having collaborated with David Coleman Headley (also known as Daood Gilani), members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), as well as other Pakistan-based operatives. Headley, a U.S. national, had previously pleaded guilty to conducting surveillance on several high-profile locations in Mumbai under Rana’s alleged facilitation.
The November 26–29, 2008 attacks saw ten LeT terrorists infiltrate Mumbai by sea, launching coordinated assaults on the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Leopold Café, and a Jewish center, among others. The assault resulted in 166 fatalities, including six American nationals, and over 238 injuries, with property damage exceeding $1.5 billion.
Extradition and Charges
Rana faces 10 serious charges, including conspiracy to commit terrorism, murder, and forgery under Indian law. His extradition was authorized by a U.S. District Court in May 2023, but he filed multiple appeals in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and even approached the U.S. Supreme Court—all of which were dismissed.
On April 9, 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service executed the final surrender order, after which Indian authorities took custody of Rana. He landed in New Delhi on April 10 and was presented before the Special NIA Court the following day, where the agency initially secured 18 days of police custody.
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