Tahawwur Rana, Accused In 2008 Mumbai Terror Attacks, Sent To 18-Day NIA Custody After Extradition From US

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the plotter of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been remanded to NIA custody for 18 days following his arrival in India.

Extradited from the United States, Rana landed in Delhi on Thursday evening under tight security arrangements.

Upon touchdown in the national capital, the 64-year-old was immediately taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency.

Rana may be temporarily held in Tihar jail before being transferred to Mumbai to face trial, NDTV reported citing sources.

Late in the evening, Rana was presented before a special court in Delhi.

Citing incriminating emails and other evidence while seeking the custody, the NIA argued that Rana’s custodial interrogation is necessary to unravel the conspiracy.

Rana faces multiple charges including criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The extradition comes two months after former US President Donald Trump, during PM Modi's visit, announced that his administration has approved the extradition of the "very evil" Rana.

"I wholeheartedly congratulate the Prime Minister of the country," posted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on X, formerly Twitter.

Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin based in Chicago, is accused of playing a key role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people.

Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, the main accused in the case, said Rana offered both financial and logistical backing for the terror operation.

As per the chargesheet, Rana aided Headley by facilitating the setting up of the Immigrant Law Centre in Mumbai.

Headley had travelled to several Indian cities, including Delhi, Jaipur, Pushkar, Goa and Pune and Mumbai, as a representative of the firm.

Rana had also visited India in November 2008.

In 2009, the FBI arrested Rana in Chicago for providing support to an aborted plan to attack a newspaper in Danish capital Copenhagen and providing material support to Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was responsible for the Mumbai attacks.

He was convicted in the US in 2011.

Rana challenged his extradition to India citing health issues including a rupturable aortic aneurysm, Parkinson’s-related cognitive decline, and suspected bladder cancer.

However, US courts rejected his plea, clearing the legal path for extradition.

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