NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has sought trial records of the 26/11 terror attack case from a Mumbai court in anticipation of Pakistan-born Canadian and “key conspirator” Tahawwur Hussain Rana‘s expected extradition from the US.
The court of principal district and sessions judge Vimal Kumar Yadav made the request on Jan 28 while hearing a plea by National Investigation Agency (NIA) for all documents relating to the case. These records had been transferred to Mumbai for use in adjudicating multiple cases linked to 26/11.
A week earlier, America’s apex court dismissed Rana’s final appeal, clearing the path for his extradition. Previously, another court determined that he could be extradited to India for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack orchestrated by Pakistan-headquartered terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Rana is suspected to be one of the brains behind the coordinated terrorist assault across multiple locations in Mumbai that resulted in over 174 casualties. He was previously convicted in the US for supporting LeT. His alleged involvement includes assisting David Coleman Headley (alias Daood Gilani), a US citizen born to American and Pakistani parents. The latter was arrested in the US in Oct 2009.
Based on investigation by US authorities, Rana knowingly supported Headley’s connections to LeT and created a false identity for him to travel to India for reconnaissance ahead of the 2008 attack. NIA’s investigation revealed Rana’s role as a co-conspirator, leading to his arrest by FBI on Oct 27, 2009. He was subsequently charged under various sections of Indian law.
Rana established the “Immigrant Law Centre” in Mumbai allegedly as a front and travelled across India with his wife Samraz Rana Akhtar in Nov 2008. He stands accused of being in regular contact with Major Iqbal, another co-conspirator, whilst carefully concealing their Pakistani connection. Being an army deserter, Rana received assurances of assistance through Major Iqbal via Headley.
Headley secured a multiple-entry business visa to India, with Rana facilitating its extension. The conspirators chose Headley for his Western appearance and American background, with Rana providing necessary support to obscure the actual purpose of their activities.