New Delhi: Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, arrived in Delhi on Thursday afternoon, marking a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Rana is accused of being a key figure behind the planning and execution of the attacks that claimed 164 lives, including six Americans.
Sources confirmed that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will arrest Rana upon his arrival, with plans for his detention in Tihar Jail, Delhi. He was brought back from the United States on a special flight by a joint team comprising NIA and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officials. This follows the dismissal of his review plea by the US Supreme Court, which had sought to block his extradition to India.
Rana faces multiple serious charges, including criminal conspiracy, waging war against India, murder, and forgery, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He is also accused of aiding Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the terror group behind the 26/11 attacks, by helping arrange travel documents for David Headley, who carried out reconnaissance of the targets later attacked by terrorists.
A high-security facility has been set up in Tihar Jail for Rana’s detention, and the NIA has secured a court order to transfer his case to Delhi, away from Mumbai, where it was originally registered.
The NIA’s 2011 charge sheet against Rana, Headley, and others involved in the attacks included testimonies from 134 witnesses and numerous pieces of evidence, including emails that revealed constant communication between Rana and Headley. These communications were pivotal in planning the deadly attacks in Mumbai.
