26/11 terror plotter Tahawwur Rana lands in Delhi after US extradition, to face NIA trial
New Delhi: Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited from the United States and arrived in Delhi on Thursday afternoon, media reports said.
He is now in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and is expected to stand trial at a special NIA court in the capital.
Extradition complete, NIA begins arrest process
A special flight carrying Rana landed at Delhi’s Palam technical area around 2:50 pm, reported India Today.
Shortly after his arrival, NIA officials placed him under arrest.
Sources said he will be produced before a designated NIA court in Delhi, possibly at Patiala House.
High security at Tihar
Rana is expected to be lodged in Tihar jail, where arrangements for his stay have already been made. In view of the high-profile case, security around the prison has been tightened. Only 12 individuals involved in the investigation — including NIA DG Sadanand Date, IG Ashish Batra, and DIG Jaya Roy — have access to his cell. Any additional visitors will need prior clearance.
Trial in Delhi, court records transferred from Mumbai
Following the extradition, the trial will be held in Delhi rather than Mumbai.
Court records and case files were recently moved from Mumbai to the court of District Judge Vimal Kumar Yadav, who had earlier directed the transfer.
Interrogation with evidence of Headley, ISI links
According to India Today, Rana will be confronted with a range of evidence, including voice recordings, emails, photos, and videos linked to the 2008 attacks.
Investigators believe these materials will be key in establishing his connection with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley and his alleged links to the Pakistani Army and the ISI.
Focus on reconnaissance, ties to Sajid Mir
Rana is accused of enabling David Headley’s reconnaissance missions in India through his immigration consultancy firm.
He is also believed to have been in contact with Sajid Mir, the Pakistani terrorist who is said to have conducted ground scouting for the 26/11 attacks.
Headley had made multiple visits to India between 2006 and 2008 to plan the assault, during which Rana allegedly played a facilitating role.
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