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11 Apr 2025

Court issues order for Tahawwur Rana custody, what questions NIA is likely to pose to Rana?


The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Rana into custody following an order of a special court in Delhi.


Tahawwur Rana, extradited from the US, was produced by the agency in the NIA Special Court at Patiala House on Thursday. The court has sent Tahawwur Rana to 18-day custody.


The NIA has issued a press release stating that the agency has taken custody of Tahawwur Rana on the orders of the court.


According to the NIA, during the 18-day custody, Tahawwur Rana will be questioned about the entire conspiracy behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks. 166 people were killed and more than 238 people were injured in this attack.


At 10 am today, the first round of interrogation begins. Inside a sealed, CCTV-monitored interrogation room, equipped with video-recording equipment, a team led by NIA officers of Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent rank will begin the probe. 


A daily interrogation diary will be maintained, detailing every exchange and answer. At the end of the 18-day custody period, a comprehensive disclosure statement - legally admissible - will be prepared as part of the case diary.


Tahawwur Hussain Rana's lawyer Piyush Sachdeva spoke to the media. He said, "NIA had sought 20 days of police custody and after much deliberation, the court has given 18 days of custody for investigation. If NIA needs more time, they will apply."


Tahawwur Rana's lawyer further said, "The court has directed that Tahawwur Rana will undergo a complete medical examination before taking him into custody and also before presenting him on the next date."


Key questions that are likely to be posed to him


According to NIA sources, among the key questions that will be posed to him are:


Where was he physically located on November 26, 2008, when the attacks began?


Why did he travel to India between November 8 and November 21 of that year? Where did he go, and whom did he meet during this time?


When did he first learn about the impending Mumbai attacks?


What was the extent of his relationship with David Headley, and why did he assist in procuring a fake visa for him?


What kind of information did Headley relay to Rana during his visits to India?


What was the nature of Rana's conversations with Headley? Did they involve detailed planning of the attacks?


What direct or indirect role did Rana play in selecting and surveilling potential targets?


How did he assist Headley in gathering actionable intelligence for Lashkar-e-Taiba?


Was he involved in any logistical planning or funding of the operation?


Did he liaise with operatives beyond Headley, including individuals embedded in the LeT and Pakistan's ISI network?



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