In a significant development in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has secured an 18-day custody of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key figure accused of orchestrating the devastating assault. A special NIA court in Delhi’s Patiala House granted the custody on Friday, April 11, 2025, paving the way for intense questioning to uncover the intricate web of conspiracy behind the 2008 tragedy that claimed 166 lives and injured over 238 people.
Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, was extradited from the United States after a prolonged legal battle. His arrival in Delhi on Thursday evening was marked by high security, with a convoy comprising SWAT vehicles, a jail van, and an ambulance escorting him to the court. The NIA, represented by senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann, had sought a 20-day custody but was granted 18 days by Judge Chander Jit Singh. Rana, who lacked legal representation initially, was provided counsel through the Delhi Legal Services Authority, with advocate Piyush Sachdeva appointed to defend him.
The NIA aims to delve deep into Rana’s role as a planner in the Mumbai attacks, which saw 10 Pakistani terrorists unleash a three-day siege on India’s financial hub, targeting a railway station, luxury hotels, and a Jewish center. Officials believe Rana, a close associate of David Coleman Headley—the primary conspirator—played a pivotal role in facilitating the plot. Headley, a US citizen also known as Daood Gilani, conducted reconnaissance in Mumbai under the guise of Rana’s immigration consultancy firm. The agency revealed in court that Headley had shared critical details of the operation with Rana, including communications about assets and the involvement of other accused, such as Pakistani nationals Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman.
Rana’s extradition marks a milestone for India’s pursuit of justice. Years of coordinated efforts between the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and US authorities culminated in the rejection of Rana’s final appeal before the US Supreme Court on April 4, 2025. The NIA emphasized that Rana’s interrogation is crucial to unraveling the broader network, including his ties to terrorist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), which are accused of masterminding the attack.
Security was airtight during Rana’s court appearance, with Delhi Police clearing the Patiala House complex of media and onlookers. Post-hearing, he was moved to a fortified cell at the NIA’s headquarters in the CGO complex, where he will remain under close watch. A Mumbai police official familiar with the investigation shared that Rana, a former Pakistan Army medical corps member, had used his Chicago-based firm to aid Headley’s activities. Over 230 phone calls between the two were recorded during Headley’s India visits, and Rana himself traveled to Mumbai days before the attacks, allegedly discussing potential targets.
The NIA’s statement underscored the gravity of the case, noting that the agency will probe every angle of the conspiracy to ensure accountability for the lives lost. As the investigation progresses, Rana’s custody is expected to shed light on the planning, execution, and international connections that enabled one of the deadliest terror strikes in India’s history.
