26/11 Mumbai attack: Delhi court extends Tahawwur Rana's NIA custody for 12 days

New Delhi: A National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Delhi has extended the custody of Tahawwur Rana, a prime accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, for another 12 days. During the hearing, the NIA informed the court that Rana had been confronted with a substantial volume of records and evidence related to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The agency argued that further custody was necessary to complete the interrogation.

The NIA argued that Rana had been evasive during questioning and was not cooperating with the investigation. The agency emphasised the need for further custodial interrogation to extract crucial information related to his alleged involvement in the attacks.

NIA was represented by senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and Special Public Prosecutor Narender Mann. Advocate Piyush Sachdev, from Legal Services, defended Rana.


Rana's counsel opposed the extension of his remand, contending that additional custodial interrogation was unwarranted. NIA Special Judge Charan Jit Singh, after hearing both the sides, agreed to send Tahawwur Rana to further 12-day NIA custody.

Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, was extradited from the United States earlier this month in connection with his purported role in the deadly 2008 terror strike on Mumbai. Following his extradition, he was placed in NIA custody in New Delhi, where investigators continue to probe his suspected links to the perpetrators of the attacks.

The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, orchestrated by the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed the lives of over 170 people and left hundreds injured. Rana's extradition and subsequent interrogation are part of India's ongoing efforts to bring all conspirators of the attacks to justice.