Tahawwur Rana extradition: MHA appoints Narender Mann special public prosecutor to conduct 26/11 trial

Tahawwur Rana is being brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed

The central government appointed advocate Narender Mann as the special public prosecutor to conduct trials and other matters related to National Investigation Agency case  against key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks Tahawwur Hussain Rana.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday night issued a gazetted notification appointing a special public prosecutor for the trial for three years.

"Advocate Mann has been appointed for conducting trials and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI (against Tahawwur Hussain Rana and David Coleman Headley) on behalf of the National Investigation Agency before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts for a period of 3 years from the date of publication of the notification or till the completion of the trial of the said case, whichever is earlier," read the home ministry statement.

Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and a close associate of David Coleman Headley (also known as Daood Gilani), a US citizen and one of the main conspirators behind the Mumbai attacks.

According to reports, Rana will land in Delhi on Thursday afternoon. He will be arrested by the National Investigation Agency immediately. A joint team of the National Investigation Agency and the Research and Analysis Wing is reportedly bringing him back.

"This is a big achievement for the nation, MEA and NIA...In the matter of Tahawwur Rana, there was the political will of India as well as America, which allowed the process to move forward.NIA provided foolproof evidence in the courts in America, and our team has visited America many times... The Central government, Delhi Police and NIA will ensure that proper interrogation of Tahawwur Rana is carried out and collect evidence so that the case can be brought to its logical conclusion," former NIA DG Yogesh Chander Modi told ANI.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the News18 Rising Bhart Summit on Wednesday that the  successful extradition of Rana showcased the Modi government’s strong global diplomacy and commitment to justice.

According to a report by Times of India, Rana is likely to be lodged in barrack number 12 in Arthur Road jail if and when he is brought to the city to face trial.

Barrack number 12 is the same building where Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab was kept in a bomb-proof cell before his execution in November 2012.