A Pakistan-born Chicago businessman wished in India for his function within the 2008 terror assaults in Mumbai metropolis has been remanded in custody for 18 days.
Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian citizen, landed in Delhi on Thursday. India’s Nationwide Investigation Company (NIA) confirmed his extradition had been profitable.
Indian authorities accuse 64-year-old Rana of aiding the Mumbai assaults by working with childhood buddy David Headley to assist Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Pakistani group blamed for the assault.
On 26 November 2008, 10 militants launched lethal assaults throughout Mumbai, killing 166 and injuring tons of, earlier than being stopped by safety forces on 29 November.
Rana was extradited from the US and arrested by the NIA upon arrival in Delhi on Thursday night.
He was escorted to a particular courtroom underneath heavy safety, trailed by dozens of journalists vying for a glimpse of Rana.
On Friday, the NIA mentioned in a press release that the company would query Rana “intimately in an effort to unravel the whole conspiracy behind the lethal 2008 assaults”.
India’s dwelling ministry has appointed well-known lawyer Narendra Mann to steer the prosecution within the case.
Rana or his legal professionals haven’t made any public feedback but.
On Friday, the US Embassy in Delhi mentioned in a press launch that Rana was to face trial in India on 10 legal fees stemming from his alleged function within the assaults.
“Rana’s extradition is a crucial step towards looking for justice for the six Individuals and scores of different victims who have been killed within the heinous assaults,” it mentioned.
In 2011, a US courtroom cleared Rana of straight plotting the assaults however convicted him of supporting the Lashkar-e-Taiba.
He was sentenced to 14 years in jail in 2013 however launched in 2020 on well being grounds. He was re-arrested later that 12 months after India requested his extradition.
A US courtroom permitted Rana’s extradition in 2023, however he remained in custody awaiting ultimate authorities clearance.
In February, President Donald Trump permitted the transfer following a gathering with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US Supreme Court docket later rejected Rana’s appeals towards the choice.
US prosecutors within the case mentioned that in 2006, Rana allowed Headley to open an workplace of his Chicago-based immigration providers agency in Mumbai, which Headley then used as cowl to scout websites for the 2008 assaults.
The fees introduced towards Rana by the NIA embrace legal conspiracy, waging battle towards the Indian authorities and terrorism.
