Tihar jail all set to ‘welcome’ to Tahawwur Rana, special flight to reach today

26/11 terror accused Tahawwur Rana is likely to be lodged in a high-security cell at Tihar jail, sources in the know of developments said. The special military aircraft with the key conspirator of the Mumbai terror attacks on board is expected to land in India by noon.

 

According to reports, a special cell has been readied in the high-security ward in Tihar jail and necessary preparations have been made for lodging the key terror accused. Prison authorities are awaiting court orders, PTI reported.

 

Rana, the 64-year-old  Pakistan-born Canadian national is being extradited to India after he exhausted all legal options in the US judicial system. Rana is being brought to India in a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force. A multi-agency team including NIA and NSG personnel took custody of Rana in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening and the special plane is expected to land in India later today.

 

A multi-agency team including investigators from intelligence agencies are likely to interrogate Rana once he lands in India. Sources told THE WEEK that Rana will be produced before the special NIA court at Patiala House for remand proceedings. Considering security reasons, Rana is likely to be produced before the court through videoconferencing.

 

The NIA has prepared a robust case, charging him with conspiracy, murder, and terrorism—offences that could carry life imprisonment or the death penalty. Sleuths believe the investigation would shed light on the larger terror plot. According to investigators, Rana had travelled to Pakistan, the US, and India – meeting other accused in the case and stringing together the preparations to target not just vital installations in Mumbai but different parts of the country as well. The other accused in the NIA case are in prison, safehouses or roaming freely in Pakistan. 

 

India