26/11 Mumbai terror case: NIA files fresh charges against Tahawwur Rana

New Delhi: National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday filed a supplementary charge sheet at the Patiala House Court in Delhi against Tahawwur Rana in the 26/11 Mumbai terror case. The agency is probing a larger conspiracy case involving David Coleman Headley and Pakistan's ISI behind the attack. The 26/11 attacks, orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed over 170 lives and left hundreds injured.

Special NIA judge Chanderjit Singh has put the supplementary charge sheet for consideration on August 13. Meanwhile, the court has extended Rana's judicial custody till August 13. The court is to hear Rana's application for regular telephonic conversation with his family on July 15. Rana was produced before the special judge through video conferencing after the expiry of his judicial custody. He was extradited from the US in April this year.

Rana's counsel Piyush Sachdev said that the supplementary charge sheet contains procedural documents like an arrest memo, seizure memo and other documents.


NIA filed the main charge sheet in December 2011. On June 9, the court granted Tahawwur Rana permission to make a single phone call to his family for the time being. The call was strictly conducted in accordance with the jail regulations and under the supervision of a senior official from the Tihar Jail.

Due to security concerns, he was presented virtually on the last date of hearing. Recently, NIA collected voice and handwriting samples from Rana. NIA had previously informed the court that Rana was confronted with substantial evidence related to the attacks. It argued for further custody, citing his evasive behaviour during questioning and lack of cooperation. Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann represented NIA while advocate Piyush Sachdeva defended Rana.