26/11 Mumbai attack: NIA permitted to record Tahawwur Rana's voice, handwriting samples

Tahawwur Rana was extradited to India from the US on April 11.

A Delhi court on Thursday allowed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to collect 26/11 Mumbai attack co-conspirator Tahawwur Hussain Rana's voice and handwriting samples. Rana was extradited to India from the US on April 11, and initially sent to an 18-day custody, which was further extended by 12 days on April 28.

PTI reported that the judgement was passed by Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh, on an application moved by the agency.

The close associate of 26/11 main conspirator David Coleman Headley, alias Dawood Gilani, was extradited to India after the US Supreme Court dismissed his plea against his extradition.

As per agencies, NIA informed the court during the hearing that they have confronted Rana with a substantial volume of records and evidence pertaining to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and he has been evasive during interrogation.

While requesting extension of remand, the agency stated that further custody was necessary to complete the questioning.

Since his extradition from the US, Rana has been held in NIA's custody in New Delhi, where he is being interrogated for his links to the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks.

Over 170 people had lost their lives in the 2008 attack at multiple sites in the financial capital.