NEW DELHI, July 9 — A Delhi court on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, till August 13. Special Judge Chander Jit Singh passed the order after Rana was produced via video conference following the expiry of his previous remand.
Rana, a 63-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian national, is alleged to have played a pivotal role in facilitating the terror strike that left 166 people dead and hundreds injured. He is considered a close associate of David Coleman Headley (alias Daood Gilani), the Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Taiba operative who conducted surveillance for the attacks and later turned approver in the case.
Rana was extradited to India in April this year after the US Supreme Court dismissed his review petition challenging the extradition. His transfer was seen as a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the 26/11 attacks, which shook India and drew global condemnation.
On November 26, 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists launched coordinated attacks at multiple high-profile targets in Mumbai, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi Trident, and the Nariman House Jewish centre. The siege lasted nearly 60 hours and was orchestrated with meticulous planning from across the border.
Investigators believe Rana used his Chicago-based immigration services firm to help Headley pose as a legitimate businessman during his reconnaissance missions in India. This cover allegedly enabled Headley to survey the targeted sites without raising suspicion.
“The case remains under active investigation and further interrogation of the accused is likely,” a senior law enforcement official said, adding that multiple intelligence agencies are closely tracking developments.
With the next hearing now scheduled for August 13, Indian authorities continue to examine Rana’s precise involvement in one of the deadliest terror attacks on Indian soil.
