Delhi Court Grants Phone Call to 26/11 Attack Accused Tahawwur Rana
In a recent ruling, a Delhi court has granted Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the infamous 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, permission to make a single phone call to his family. This decision comes with strict regulations, as the call will be monitored by jail authorities. Rana, a Canadian businessman linked to the attacks, is under investigation for his role in providing logistical support to the perpetrators. The court has also requested a health report on Rana and further clarification on his future communication privileges. The ongoing legal proceedings highlight the complexities surrounding the extradition and prosecution of those involved in one of India's deadliest terrorist incidents.
Jun 9, 2025, 15:35 IST
Court Decision on Phone Call
A Delhi court has permitted Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, to make a single phone call to his family. However, this call will be conducted under the supervision of a senior official from Tihar Jail, adhering to prison regulations. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has approved this one-time phone call in their response to the court. Additionally, the court has requested a comprehensive health status report on Rana, which must be submitted within ten days. Furthermore, the court has asked jail authorities to provide a detailed report clarifying their stance on whether Rana should be allowed to make regular phone calls in the future, in accordance with jail guidelines.
Rana's Involvement in the 26/11 Attacks
Tahawwur Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani descent, was a close associate of David Coleman Headley, the main conspirator behind the 26/11 attacks. Headley, an American citizen, was a key operative of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which orchestrated the attacks. Rana is accused of providing logistical support and funding for the attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 166 individuals and injuries to over 300 others during a series of coordinated assaults on prominent locations in Mumbai, including two luxury hotels, a railway station, and a Jewish center.
Extradition and Ongoing Investigations
Rana's extradition from the United States followed a protracted legal battle. On April 4, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed his plea challenging the decision to extradite him to India to face charges related to the terrorist attacks. The NIA continues to investigate Rana's role as it seeks to bring all individuals involved in the attacks to justice. The assault, which occurred on November 26, 2008, is one of the deadliest terrorist incidents in India's history, and Indian authorities have long demanded the extradition and prosecution of key conspirators.