Page 4 - The Indian EYE 041825

COVER STORY APRIL 18, 2025 | The Indian Eye 4

TAHAWWUR RANA EXTRADITED

JUSTICE FOR

26/11 VICTIMS

26/11 mastermind is extradited to India from the US to face justice.

His investigation may reveal a wider terror plot against India as the families of
victims – and the whole country – seek a closure

OUR BUREAU
New Delhi/Mumbai/Washington, DC
n an extremely important devel-
opment, Tahawwur Rana, 64, a
ICanadian citizen and native of
Pakistan, was extradited to stand trial
in India on 10 criminal charges stem-
ming from his alleged role in the 2008
terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
Rana is charged with numerous
offences, including conspiracy, mur-
der, commission of a terrorist act, and
forgery, related to his alleged involve-
ment in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist
attacks by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a
designated terrorist organization. The
National Investigation Agency (NIA)
successfully secured the extradition of
Rana after years of sustained and con-
certed efforts to bring the key conspira-
tor behind the 2008 mayhem to justice.
According to the NIA, Rana was
being held in judicial custody in the
US pursuant to proceedings initiated
under the India-US Extradition Treaty
for his extradition. The extradition fi-
nally came through after Rana exhaust-
ed all legal avenues to stay the move. National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrests Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the key conspirator in the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, immedi-
NIA has placed Tahawwur Rana
under 18-day custody. Investigators ately after his arrival at IGIA, following his successful extradition from the United States, in New Delhi on Thursday (ANI Photo/NIA)
suspect that similar terror plots were
devised for multiple cities across In- aimed at uncovering deeper layers of special court, the NIA argued that his Tight security measures were en-
dia. To piece together the full scope the conspiracy. Authorities suspect custodial interrogation is essential to forced during Rana’s court appear-
of the conspiracy, officials may take that the tactics used in the Mumbai uncover the full extent of the conspiracy. ance, with Delhi Police evacuating the
Rana to various locations, retracing attacks were intended for execution in According to investigators, David premises and restricting media access
events from 17 years ago. other cities as well, prompting inves- Coleman Headley--another key con- to ensure safety. The NIA emphasized
According to the sources, the NIA tigators to examine whether similar spirator--had informed Rana about that Rana conspired with terrorist
is expanding its probe into the 26/11 plots were developed elsewhere. the attack plans before his visit to In- groups to orchestrate the 2008 at-
Mumbai terror attacks, with plans to Rana was formally arrested upon dia. Their email exchanges serve as tacks, which resulted in 166 fatalities
take Tahawwur Rana to various lo- his arrival in India following his extra- critical evidence of their involvement. and over 238 injuries. His extradition
cations across India. His prolonged dition from the U.S., which came after Authorities aim to determine Rana’s marks a significant milestone in bring-
custody has been deemed necessary he had exhausted all legal avenues to precise role in facilitating the devas- ing those responsible to justice.
to facilitate an extensive interrogation prevent the move. Presented before a tating attacks. Continued on next page... >>

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