26/11 Mumbai terror plot: NIA gets 18-day custody of Tahawwur Rana to uncover 'full conspiracy'

NIA officials with Tahawwur Rana after his arrest in Delhi on April 10. (Courtesy: NIA)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday took custody of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, for 18 days. He will be questioned in detail to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the 2008 terror attack.

Rana was produced before a special NIA court at Patiala House after he landed in Delhi, following his extradition from the US.

After the court granted custody, he was taken to the NIA headquarters under tight security, with a convoy that included Delhi Police’s SWAT team and other personnel.

Rana will be kept in a highly secured cell inside the anti-terror agency's head office at CGO complex here, officials said.

"Rana will remain in NIA custody for 18 days, during which time the agency will question him in detail in order to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks, in which a total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured," said a statement issued by the probe agency soon after the court's order.

In a day of fast-paced developments linked with the extradition of Rana, the NIA took his custody on the orders of the special court in New Delhi, it said.

NIA had secured Rana's extradition from the US following years of sustained efforts, and after the terror mastermind's last-ditch efforts to get a stay on his extradition from the US failed.

Rana was brought to New Delhi Thursday evening, escorted by teams of NSG and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles.

The extradition finally came through after Rana's various litigations and appeals, including an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, were rejected.

With the coordinated efforts of India's Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the relevant authorities in the United States, the surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist was eventually secured and the extradition was carried out, the statement said.