26/11 Mumbai terror case: Tushar Mehta to lead govt team in trial against Tahawwur Rana

The union government on Wednesday announced the appointment of a team of lawyers led by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to conduct the trial in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, in which Tahawwur Hussain Rana is one of the accused.

Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, is accused of conspiring in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed 166 lives. he is facing serious charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). These include conspiracy, terrorism, forgery, and waging war against the country.

As per the notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the legal team will represent the National Investigation Agency (NIA) before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi, the Delhi High Court, and the Supreme Court of India for a period of three years or until the completion of the trial, whichever is earlier.


The appointed panel also includes Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, and Advocate Narender Nawa.

The appointment comes amid ongoing investigation efforts, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) stating that Rana may reveal vital information about Lashkar-e-Taiba and its future terror plans. On 28 April, the agency submitted before a special NIA court that his continued custody was essential.

“Hafiz Saeed is an accused in the case and his terror organisation is still involved in terror attacks in India. Rana's custody is required to unearth the operational details of the organisation,” the agency told the court, according to PTI sources.

Rana had been in US custody since 2020 and had fought against extradition through American courts, including the Supreme Court. After losing all appeals, he was sent to India on a special flight, escorted by officials from India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the US Marshals Service. He landed in Delhi on Thursday evening and was formally arrested. A special NIA court gave the agency 18 days to question him.

The 26/11 Mumbai attacks, carried out by 10 Pakistani terrorists, targeted the city’s railway station, luxury hotels, and a Jewish centre. The three-day siege resulted in the deaths of 166 people.