NEW DELHI– Tahawwur Rana, the Pakistani-Canadian national accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has petitioned a Special NIA Court for permission to regularly speak with his family by phone from jail, a legal representative confirmed on Tuesday.
Rana submitted his request before the Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court at Patiala House, which subsequently asked jail authorities and the NIA to respond on whether such regular communication should be allowed.
As the NIA requested additional time to present its position, the court scheduled the next hearing for July 23. Jail officials, however, have already submitted their response to Rana’s request.
Previously, Rana had also appealed for a bed in his Tihar Jail cell—an application the court approved. The judge directed jail authorities to provide appropriate bedding, citing health concerns.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the NIA informed the court that all relevant medical documents regarding Rana’s condition had been handed over to prison officials.
This isn’t the first time Rana has sought permission to speak with his family. The court had previously granted him a one-time telephonic conversation with his relatives.
On July 9, the NIA court extended Rana’s judicial custody until August 13. The agency has filed a supplementary charge sheet against him, adding to its 2012 case. The new filing includes an arrest memo, seizure memos, and additional documentation.
Rana, a former officer in the Pakistan Army’s Medical Corps, was extradited from the United States in April to face trial in India for his alleged role in aiding the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Authorities believe he helped David Coleman Headley—his childhood friend and co-accused—by providing handwritten notes, coordinates, and maps later used to scout targets for the attack.
The NIA has collected Rana’s voice and handwriting samples to match against recordings of conversations between him and Headley.
Earlier, on June 6, the court requested a status report from Tihar Jail following claims by Rana’s legal team that his health was deteriorating while in custody.
Headley, currently jailed in the U.S. and turned approver in the case, previously admitted to conducting surveillance missions across India—including in Mumbai—on behalf of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Rana has reportedly told investigators that Headley alone was responsible for the planning and reconnaissance of the attacks. (Source: IANS)
