MHA Appoints Narender Mann as Special Public Prosecutor for Tahawwur Rana’s 26/11 Trial

The Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed Advocate Narender Mann as the Special Public Prosecutor for the trial of Tahawwur Rana, the accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, as he is extradited from the U.S. to India.

In a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed Advocate Narender Mann as the Special Public Prosecutor for the trial of Tahawwur Hussain Rana. Rana, a Pakistani-born Canadian, is one of the key accused in the attack that claimed 166 lives, including several foreign nationals.

Background: Who is Tahawwur Rana?

Tahawwur Rana, a former Pakistani military doctor, is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley, the primary scout for the attackers, to conduct surveillance in Mumbai ahead of the 26/11 attacks. Rana allegedly played a pivotal role in facilitating the logistics and providing support to the terrorists, including helping Headley secure a business visa to India under the pretext of conducting business.

MHA's Key Appointment: Narender Mann as Special Public Prosecutor

In an official notification dated April 9, 2025, the MHA appointed Advocate Narender Mann as the Special Public Prosecutor for the case concerning Tahawwur Rana. Mann, an experienced legal expert, will serve for a three-year term or until the completion of the trial, whichever is sooner. He will represent the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the legal proceedings, which are centered around the conspiracy and funding behind the Mumbai terror attacks.

Rana’s Extradition and Upcoming Trial

Following years of legal battles in the U.S., Rana’s extradition to India was confirmed after the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed his appeal. Rana is expected to arrive in India by April 10, 2025, where he will be arrested by NIA officers upon his landing. He will be presented in front of a Delhi court before being transferred to Mumbai, where the attacks occurred.

The NIA and other Indian intelligence agencies are preparing for extensive interrogation of Rana, focusing on his connections to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and his links with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the terrorist group responsible for orchestrating the attacks.

Why Narender Mann’s Appointment is Crucial

The appointment of Advocate Narender Mann is seen as a strategic move by the government to ensure the trial proceeds with the utmost professionalism and efficiency. Mann’s expertise in handling high-profile cases will be invaluable, especially in navigating the complexities of international terrorism charges.

This appointment is a clear indication of India’s commitment to bringing all perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks to justice, irrespective of how long the legal process takes.

Impact on the 26/11 Legal Proceedings

Rana’s extradition and subsequent trial are being closely followed by both Indian and international communities. Survivors and the families of victims have long awaited this moment, as it represents a step closer to holding all the conspirators accountable.

Tags:

Tahawwur Rana

Amit Sharma

Amit Sharma is the Content Editor at JurisHour. He has been writing about the Indian legal market. He has covered tax & company litigation stories from the Supreme Court, High Courts and Various Tribunals. Amit graduated from MLSU Law College with B.A.LL.B. and also holds an LL.M. from MLSU, Udaipur, Rajasthan. An Advocate in Taxation, and practised in Tribunals as well as Rajasthan High Court and pursued Masters in Constitutional Law. He started out small with little resources but a big plan to take tax legal education to the remotest locations across India and eventually to the world. His vision is to make tax related legal developments accessible to the masses.