APRIL 11, 2025
26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana Remanded to 18-Day NIA Custody Post Extradition from U.S.
In a significant development in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, a Delhi court on Thursday remanded Tahawwur Hussain Rana — a key accused in the deadly 2008 carnage — to 18 days of custody with the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Rana was extradited from the United States and formally arrested by the NIA upon his arrival at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian national, is accused of being a close associate of David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a U.S. citizen and a principal conspirator in the coordinated attacks that claimed over 160 lives across Mumbai. The attackers, trained in Pakistan, infiltrated Mumbai via the Arabian Sea and targeted high-profile locations including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident, CST Railway Station, and the Jewish Chabad House.
The court proceedings occurred late into the night. Rana was brought before Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh at Patiala House Courts at around 10:45 PM under tight security. The NIA had sought 20 days’ custody, but the order was passed at approximately 2:15 AM granting 18 days.
The Central Government has appointed Special Public Prosecutor Narender Mann to lead the prosecution. Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan also appeared for the NIA, while Advocate Piyush Sachdeva, acting as legal aid counsel, represented Rana.
According to a press release issued by the NIA, Rana’s extradition followed a lengthy legal battle in the U.S., where he was detained under judicial custody. The District Court for the Central District of California approved his extradition on May 16, 2023. Following this, Rana made multiple legal attempts to avoid extradition, including appeals to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. His petitions — including two habeas corpus writs, an emergency application, and a request for a writ of certiorari — were all denied.
The NIA underscored the critical cooperation between Indian and U.S. authorities throughout the extradition process.
“With active assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ), U.S. Sky Marshals, and close coordination with Indian intelligence agencies and the National Security Guard (NSG), the operation was meticulously executed. India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs played pivotal roles in securing a surrender warrant and ensuring the extradition was successfully carried out,” the NIA said.
Rana’s return to India is seen as a breakthrough moment in India’s pursuit of justice for the victims of the 26/11 attacks. His custody will allow the NIA to interrogate him on his alleged role in facilitating Headley’s surveillance of Mumbai and his involvement in the larger Lashkar-e-Taiba terror conspiracy.
The trial in this case is expected to garner significant attention as India pushes for accountability and transparency in one of the most audacious terror attacks in its history.
Tahawwur Rana is represented by Advocate Piyush Sachdeva, who has been appointed as his legal aid counsel.
The State, through the National Investigation Agency (NIA), is being represented by:
- Special Public Prosecutor Narender Mann, appointed by the Central Government
- Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, also appearing for the NIA in the case
