New Delhi [India]: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday collected voice and handwriting samples from Tahawwur Rana, the alleged mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, following his recent extradition from the United States to India.
Under high security, Rana was produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class Vaibhav Kumar, where he provided handwritten samples by writing various alphabets and numbers.
Legal aid counsel Advocate Piyush Sachdev confirmed Rana’s full compliance with the court’s directive:
“Rana fully complied with a recent court order directing him to submit samples of his voice and handwriting.”
Earlier this week, the Special NIA Court granted the agency permission to obtain the samples. Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh approved the request on Wednesday.
Additionally, on Monday, the court extended Rana’s NIA custody for another 12 days. During the hearing, the NIA informed the court that Rana had been presented with a large body of records and evidence related to the 2008 Mumbai attacks and argued that further interrogation was essential.
The agency asserted that Rana had been uncooperative and evasive during questioning and stressed the need for extended custodial interrogation to obtain critical information.
In court proceedings, the NIA was represented by Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan and Special Public Prosecutor Narender Mann. Rana was defended by Advocate Piyush Sachdeva, appointed through Legal Services.
However, Rana’s counsel opposed the remand extension, arguing that additional custody was not justified.
Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, was extradited earlier this month in connection with his alleged role in planning and facilitating the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. He is currently in the NIA’s custody in New Delhi, where investigations into his suspected links with the attackers are ongoing.
The 26/11 Mumbai attacks, carried out by Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed the lives of over 170 people and injured hundreds. Rana’s extradition marks a significant step in India’s pursuit to bring all individuals involved in the attacks to justice.