Delhi’s Patiala House Court has dismissed a plea filed by 26/11 Terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana, who sought permission to speak with his family over the phone while in custody.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) strongly opposed the request, citing concerns that the investigation is at a critical stage. The agency argued that allowing Rana to communicate with his family could risk the leakage of sensitive information related to the case.
Rana, currently held in connection with a high-profile investigation, had petitioned for limited communication privileges. However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the court ruled against the request, prioritizing the integrity of the ongoing probe.
Tahawwur Hussain Rana’s demands in NIA custody
Earlier, Tahawwur Hussain Rana had made a few personal requests to NIA officials since his arrival in India. According to officials, Rana had asked for a copy of the Quran, which was promptly provided. “He is seen offering Namaz five times a day in his cell,” HT quoted an officer saying, who also described him as a “religious man”. Rana also requested pen and paper.
As per court orders, Rana is allowed to meet with a lawyer appointed by the Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA) every alternate day. He further requested that “there should not be any counsel who may appear to earn name and fame through him”.
According to a report by PTI, the NIA is currently questioning Rana on multiple leads, including his frequent communication with David Coleman Headley (also known as Daood Gilani), his childhood friend and a key figure in the planning of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Headley, a U.S. national, is serving a prison sentence in the United States for his role in the attacks.
Rana, a Canadian citizen originally from Pakistan, is also being probed for his suspected ties to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which carried out the coordinated Mumbai attacks involving bombings and shootings across the city.
Tahawwur Rana’s extradition
After prolonged legal proceedings and diplomatic discussions, Tahawwur Rana was extradited from the United States to India for his alleged involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He arrived in New Delhi on April 10, 2025, under NIA custody — marking a major step forward in India’s pursuit of justice for the victims of the attacks.
(With inputs from Agencies)