Delhi Court Allows Tahawwur Rana One-Time Phone Call To Family; Seeks Fresh Health Report
A Delhi Court on Monday permitted Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the jailed key conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, to make a one-time phone call to his family under the supervision of Tihar Jail authorities and in accordance with the jail manual.
Special Judge Chander Jit Singh of Patiala House Court granted the limited relief while directing jail authorities to file a fresh report on Rana’s health within 10 days.
The Court also sought clarification on whether Rana should be allowed to make regular phone calls going forward.
Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian national, is currently in judicial custody. He was extradited to India following the U.S. Supreme Court’s dismissal of his review plea against extradition on April 4.
Previously
On June 6, the Delhi Court had extended the judicial custody of Rana till July 9.
Pertinently, on June 4, the Delhi Court had scheduled a hearing for June 9 to consider a plea by Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks conspiracy, seeking permission to communicate with his family while in judicial custody.
On May 28, the Delhi Court has sought a response from Tihar Jail authorities on Rana's plea. Earlier, on May 9, the Delhi Court had sent Rana to judicial custody till June 6.
It is to be noted that May 1, the Delhi Court had permitted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to collect voice and handwriting samples of Rana. The Court had allowed the NIA's application, paving the way for further forensic examination as part of the agency’s ongoing investigation into Rana’s alleged role in the 2008 attacks that left over 170 dead and hundreds injured.
On April 28, during an in-camera hearing, Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, along with SPP Narender Mann, appeared for NIA. NIA sought an extension of Rana’s custody by 12 days.
Pertinently, on April 24, the Delhi Court had dismissed Rana's plea seeking permission to communicate with his family members while he remains in judicial custody.
Earlier, on April 21, the Delhi Court had issued notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), directing the agency to file its response.
Allegations against Rana
Rana is a key conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and is accused of facilitating the operations of David Coleman Headley, who conducted reconnaissance in Mumbai ahead of the 2008 attacks. According to NIA, Rana had conspired with David Coleman Headley (also known as Daood Gilani), operatives of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), and other Pakistan-based actors to orchestrate the devastating 2008 attacks.
From November 26 to 29, 2008, ten terrorists from the Pakistan-based LeT carried out 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai. They infiltrated the city by sea, broke into teams, and launched strikes at high-profile locations, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Leopold Café, and a Jewish center.
Attackers indiscriminately opened fire and hurled grenades at civilians, resulting in the deaths of 166 people, including six Americans, and injuring over 238. Property damage was estimated to exceed $1.5 billion.
Rana now faces trial in India on 10 serious criminal charges, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery. His extradition was ordered by a U.S. court in May 2023, but Rana pursued multiple appeals, including petitions in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court, all of which were rejected. On April 9, the U.S. Marshals Service executed the final surrender warrant, handing him over to Indian authorities.
After Rana’s arrival in New Delhi following his extradition from the United States on the evening of April 10. He was, on April 11, produced before Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh, Patiala House Court. NIA had then sought 20 days of police custody for Rana. However, the Special Judge granted 18 days of custodial interrogation.
Case Title: NIA v. David Coleman Headley