Rana has been accused of his role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and has been arrested for 16 years. He was in the United States and was extradited to Delhi today after a lot of negotiation. The home minister applauded the move as a major success of the government. A Nayayik Abhirakhsa Vahini was sent to the airport at 7 in the morning at the request of the NIA(National Investigation Agency) with escorts before Rana arrived at the airport.
The Delhi police special cell and the SWAT commandos were also on alert, ensuring high security amidst Tahawwur Rana’s arrival. Three senior NIA officials and three intelligence officers went to the US on Monday to obtain custody.
After the preparations were made, the home minister in his meeting with the External affairs minister and the National security advisor discussed the plan concerning his punishment. The home minister later said that this move was the Modi government’s big victory and that anyone who attacked India’s honour and people would not be spared, in the context of Rana he said that he would be brought to India and face punishment for his actions.
He also indirectly pointed out at Congress saying that those in power during 2008 could not punish him. The Home Ministry has appointed a special public prosecutor to conduct trials for three years in the case.
Rana is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and has been allegedly associated with terrorist David Headley. Headley has been claimed to be closely connected to the terrorist organization Lashker-e-Taeba which was behind the attack. It was alleged that Rana helped Headley with logistics during the attacks.
In the detailed explanation by the NIA, it said it had “successfully secured” the extradition. After being in US custody for the last 16 years Rana was finally handed over to India under the India-US extradition treaty after having gone out of all the means to increase his stay.
Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan who led India in the US court will prosecute Rana in Delhi along with the Special public prosecutor Narendra Maan. While advocate Piyush Sachdeva will represent Rana.
He has been formally arrested and the NIA has been given a window of 18 days to question him.
