NEW DELHI– Tihar Jail officials have opposed a plea by 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana seeking regular phone calls with his family, citing security concerns, a lawyer told the court on Friday.
In a response filed before the Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court at Patiala House, prison authorities argued that allowing Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, frequent telephonic contact with relatives could pose security risks.
Rana, currently in judicial custody until August 13, had earlier been permitted a one-time call to his family. His latest petition requests regular access, prompting the Special NIA Court to ask Tihar officials to clarify their position.
Rana was extradited from the United States in April to stand trial in India for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He is accused of aiding his childhood friend and co-accused David Coleman Headley, who carried out reconnaissance missions across India for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Headley, who is serving a sentence in the U.S., later turned approver in the case.
During earlier hearings, the NIA informed the court that all of Rana’s medical records had been handed over to prison authorities. On June 6, the court sought a status report after his counsel raised concerns about his deteriorating health.
The court had previously granted Rana’s request for a bed in his cell, which was subsequently provided by jail officials.
The NIA has filed a supplementary charge sheet against Rana, a former officer in Pakistan’s Army Medical Corps. It includes new material such as his arrest memo, seizure records, and various documents. The agency has also collected his voice and handwriting samples to compare with recorded conversations involving Headley. (Source: IANS)
