Tahawwur Rana, a key conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was remanded to 18-day custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday night following his extradition from the United States.
His stay in Ahmedabad two years ago is likely to be probed. For background, Rana visited Ahmedabad on November 18 and 19, 2008, a week before the Mumbai Terrorist attack. He stayed at Hotel Lemon Tree in Mithakhali with his wife, Samraz Akhtar.
According to reports, the city police’s special branch investigated this in January 2010 when current Police Commissioner GS Malik was serving as IG-special branch. At that time, authorities had filed charges against the hotel management for breaking various rules regarding foreign guests.
The 64-year-old, a Pakistani-origin Canadian national, arrived in Delhi on a special flight and was arrested upon landing. He was presented before a special court at Patiala House, which granted NIA custody until April 29.
Starting Friday, the agency will interrogate Rana on three key fronts: his role in the 26/11 plot, his links to Lashkar-e-Taiba, and his alleged ties to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI.
Rana was extradited after a prolonged legal process in the US. The NIA, seeking a 20-day remand, argued that his custodial interrogation was essential to uncover the full scope of the terror conspiracy executed by 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives on November 26, 2008. The agency cited email records as key evidence. The court approved 18 days and asked Rana if he wished to appoint a lawyer or opt for legal aid.
A 12-member NIA team led by DIG Jaya Roy—who was instrumental in securing the extradition—will lead the questioning. Rana is being held in a high-security 14×14-foot cell at the NIA headquarters, under 24/7 CCTV surveillance, with round-the-clock guards deployed to prevent self-harm. Food and provisions are being arranged inside the cell.
Interrogations began after 11 a.m. in an adjacent third-floor room, also under surveillance. The NIA plans an exhaustive probe to determine the extent of Rana’s involvement in the attacks, which killed 166 and injured over 238. At least eight other agencies have approached the NIA seeking to question him during custody.
Once questioning ends, Rana will be moved to Delhi’s Tihar Jail, where security has been tightened in advance. Records from the 26/11 case have been submitted to District Judge Vimal Kumar Yadav. The prosecution will be led by senior criminal lawyer Dayan Krishnan and Special Public Prosecutor Narendra Mann.
Rana faces charges of criminal conspiracy, waging war against India, murder, and violations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He is a known associate of David Headley, another prime conspirator in the attacks, who testified that Rana provided key logistical and financial support for the operation.
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