NIA begins grilling Tahawwur Rana
Rana was produced before a special NIA court after his formal arrest on arrival at Delhi airport on Thursday, following his successful extradition from US
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has begun questioning of Mumbai attacks mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana to unravel the larger conspiracy behind the deadly terror strikes of 2008, official sources said. The investigation is being led by NIA’s Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jaya Roy, who is also the Chief Investigating Officer, they said.
Also read: How Indian security officials paved way for 26/11 accused Rana's extradition
Rana was brought to the NIA headquarters early Friday morning after a Delhi court granted 18-day custody to the probe agency, following his extradition from the US.
Focus on possible LeT link
Rana is being kept in a highly-secured cell, inside the anti-terror agency's head office at CGO complex in New Delhi, being guarded by security personnel round the clock, the sources said.
A 24x7 surveillance is being maintained and Rana has been provided with basic necessities like food and meals among others, they said.
“Rana will remain in NIA custody for 18 days, during which time the agency will question him in detail in order to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks, in which a total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured,” said a statement issued by the probe agency soon after the court's order.
It is learnt that the interrogation is focused on getting more details on his possible connection with Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which had orchestrated the attacks.
Extradition and arrest
The anti-terror agency had produced Rana before the NIA Special Court at Patiala House after formally placing him under arrest on his arrival at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport on Thursday (April 10) evening, following his successful extradition from the US.
Also read: Tahawwur Rana's extradition big success of Modi govt: Amit Shah
The court on Friday sent Rana to 18-day NIA custody, following which he was brought from Patiala House courts complex to the NIA headquarters in a heavily-secured motorcade comprising Delhi Police's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and other security personnel.
Where is Rana being kept?
Rana will be kept in a highly secured cell inside the anti-terror agency's head office at CGO complex in Delhi, officials said.
"Rana will remain in NIA custody for 18 days, during which time the agency will question him in detail in order to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks, in which a total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured," said a statement issued by the probe agency soon after the court's order.
Also read: US SC rejects 26/11 attack accused Tahawwur Rana’s plea seeking stay on extradition to India
How NIA secured extradition
NIA had secured Rana's extradition from the US following years of sustained efforts, and after the terror mastermind's last-ditch efforts to get a stay on his extradition from the US failed.
Rana was brought to New Delhi Thursday evening, escorted by teams of NSG and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles.
The extradition finally came through after Rana's various litigations and appeals, including an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, were rejected.
Also read: Extradition from US: The 'conduct' vs 'elements' factor that worked against Rana
With the coordinated efforts of India's Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the relevant authorities in the United States, the surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist was eventually secured and the extradition was carried out, the statement said.
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