Mumbai Police questions 26/11 mastermind Tahawwur Rana in Delhi

New Delhi, April 26: Mumbai Police Crime Branch officials interrogated Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the alleged mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) office in Delhi earlier this week, officials confirmed on Saturday.

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Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian and former military doctor with a suspected history of involvement in terrorism, was recently extradited from the United States to face charges in India. According to police sources, he was questioned for nearly eight hours on Wednesday but remained largely uncooperative, offering evasive responses.

Earlier, Rana's plea to communicate with his family over the phone was rejected by Delhi’s Patiala House Court. His lawyer, Piyush Sachdeva, had argued that as a foreign national, Rana was entitled to speak with his family, who were concerned about his condition in custody. However, the NIA opposed the request, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation and the potential risk of leaking critical information.

Rana faces multiple serious charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), including conspiracy, terrorism, forgery, and waging war against the nation. The court also highlighted that under the terms of the extradition agreement, Rana can only be prosecuted for offences explicitly approved in the extradition process.

Given the application of UAPA Sections 16 and 18—related to terrorism and conspiracy—authorities may seek extended police custody beyond what is typically allowed under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), owing to the grave nature of the case.