NIA files 1st supplementary chargesheet against 26/11 attack accused Tahawwur

NEW DELHI: National Investigation Agency Wednesday filed the first supplementary chargesheet against Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana in the larger conspiracy case, citing additional evidence collected by its sleuths on his role as a facilitator of co-accused David Headley's multiple trips to India for reconnaissance of 26/11 targets on directions of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba masterminds.

After the supplementary chargesheet against Rana - extradited from US in April this year - was filed, NIA Special Court at Patiala House extended his judicial custody till Aug 13.

Rana, a Canadian citizen, was Wednesday produced before court of NIA judge Chander Jit Singh through video-con. The proceedings were held in-camera, with Rana represented by Legal Aid Counsel advocate Piyush Sachdev.

The court will consider the supplementary chargesheet on Aug 13. Rana's pending plea for a telephonic call to his family and medicals is listed for hearing on July 15.

The case against Rana pertains to a criminal conspiracy hatched by David Headley, Rana and other members of LeT and HUJI to carry out terrorist attacks in different parts of India.

"The supplementary chargesheet pertains to submission of documents regarding extradition of Rana and additional evidence collected by NIA," it said Wednesday.

Rana is accused of offering Headley his immigration business as a cover for his stay in Mumbai to survey the potential sites to be attacked by the 10 LeT gunmen who landed in Mumbai on 26/11 and unleashed mayhem at multiple targets including the Taj Mahal Hotel, Nariman House, Oberoi Trident hotel, Leopold Cafe, CST and Cama Hospital. As many as 166 persons, including foreign nationals, were killed in the attacks.

Rana was a Pakistan army deserter and a childhood friend of Headley. He was fully aware of Headley's assignment to carry out reconnaissance of targets in Mumbai for 26/11 attacks. Rana helped Headley obtain a visa based on misrepresented and incomplete information relating to his name and country of origin.