Tahawwur Hussain Rana, accused of involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited to India following approval from the United States government. Upon his arrival at Delhi's Palam Airport, he was taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), marking a crucial step in India’s pursuit of justice in the 2008 terrorist attack case.
Rana will now undergo formal arrest by the NIA and will be produced before the Patiala House Court in Delhi. Owing to heightened security concerns, his court appearance is expected to take place via video conferencing. Alternatively, if required, he may be presented before the special judge at their residence under strict security arrangements.
The NIA is likely to seek his custody to conduct a detailed interrogation. Following this, an updated chargesheet will be filed based on the new findings during the investigation. Legal proceedings will be conducted in a Special NIA Court in Delhi, and Rana is expected to be held in Tihar Jail under tight security, isolated from other inmates to ensure safety.
As per Indian law, every accused has the right to legal representation. If Tahawwur Rana wishes to appoint a lawyer but fails to find one willing to represent him, the court will appoint a defense attorney on his behalf. The central government has already designated Narendra Mann as the Special Public Prosecutor in this case.
This development is seen as a significant milestone in India’s counter-terrorism efforts and reaffirms its commitment to bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice, regardless of international boundaries.