A Delhi court has extended the National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, by 12 days. Special Judge Chander Jit Singh of Patiala House Court granted the extension on Monday, April 28, 2025, following a plea by the NIA. The central investigative agency presented Rana in court after his previous 18-day remand expired.
The NIA sought the custody extension to further interrogate Rana and confront him with evidence related to the Mumbai terror attack conspiracy. The agency stated that Rana has not been fully cooperating with the investigation and that further interrogation is necessary to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy. The court had previously denied Rana's request for telephonic access to his family, citing concerns that it could jeopardize the ongoing investigation.
During the proceedings, the court directed the NIA to conduct Rana's medical examination every 24 hours. Furthermore, the court allowed Rana to meet with his lawyer every other day, though these meetings must occur in the presence of NIA officials who remain at an audible distance. This arrangement aims to balance Rana's right to legal counsel with the need to maintain the integrity of the investigation.
Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian-American, is a close associate of David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Gilani, who is considered a main conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The attacks, which occurred in November 2008, resulted in the deaths of 166 people and left hundreds injured, severely impacting India. Rana was brought to India after the US Supreme Court dismissed his review petition against his extradition to India on April 4, 2025.
The NIA has been seeking to unravel the details of the conspiracy and the roles of various individuals involved. The agency plans to take Rana to several locations to retrace the events that transpired 17 years ago, as part of their investigation. Rana has been charged by the NIA in 2011 and by the Mumbai Police in 2023 in connection with the Mumbai terror attacks.
