Tahawwur Rana left Mumbai a week before 26/11

MUMBAI: Citing his visits to Mumbai and New Delhi for allegedly providing logistical support to the key conspirators, Mumbai police crime branch in Sept 2023 filed a 405-page supplementary chargesheet against the 62-year-old ex-military doctor Tahawwur Hussain Rana in the 26/11 terror attacks.

There are 14-15 witnesses named in this chargesheet, which was the last one filed in the case. Rana faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and waging war against India. He is accused of facilitating the attacks by providing support to key conspirator David Coleman Headley, including facilitating travel documents for Headley. Mumbai Police have said they have evidence against the Pakistan-born Canadian national in the form of documents on his travels and his stay in India.

The prosecution's case is that Rana was the link between Pakistan's secret service agency, Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), accused-turned-approver David Coleman Headley and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"Rana arrived in Delhi on Nov 11, 2008 and stayed in India for 11 days. For two days - Nov 20-21, he stayed at a hotel in Powai," a cop said. After two days, Rana left for Dubai a week before the 26/11 attacks.

On the night of Nov 26, 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists entered Mumbai by sea route and attacked CSMT, Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, Trident Hotel, Chabad House among other landmarks, killing 166 people including over a dozen foreigners. In a 60-hour operation, NSG and other security agencies killed nine terrorists while one was captured.

The 26/11 trial began in 2009 with the prosecution of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the terrorist who was nabbed alive, and two others, Mumbai resident Faheem Ansari and Bihar resident Sabahuddin Ahmed. The latter two were acquitted. Subsequently, David Headley was pardoned by a trial court and accepted as a prosecution witness. His testimony against Rana and others provided more material to the prosecutors.

Another accused, Zabihuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, alleged to be Kasab's handler, was deported from Saudi Arabia and arrested. He was also chargesheeted, but currently his trial has been stayed by Bombay HC.

Inspector Hemant Bhawdhankar, part of team that apprehended Kasab, said, "It's a very good initiative by the govt to get Rana deported and face trial. He was a key player operating behind the scenes."

Former Maharashtra ATS chief K P Raghuvanshi expressed satisfaction over news of Rana's extradition, saying, "It's a victory of justice. I'm glad to hear he will face trial here." Another retired officer, speaking anonymously, said, "These masterminds never imagined they would face trial in India. Beyond this trial, he will also have to answer to the almighty for the innocent lives lost in the attack."

Within the police, Rana's extradition is seen as a significant step in tackling Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and reaffirms the collaborative efforts of international and Indian authorities in bringing perpetrators to justice.


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