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Key Points

Tihar Jail officials have denied 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana’s request for regular phone calls with family, citing security risks. Rana, extradited from the US, is currently in judicial custody till August 13. The NIA has filed additional charges linking him to the Mumbai terror attack. His health concerns were previously raised in court, leading to a bed being provided in his cell.

Key Points: Tihar Jail Denies 26/11 Mastermind Tahawwur Rana Regular Phone Calls

  • Tihar Jail opposes Rana's plea for regular calls citing security concerns
  • Rana was extradited from the US for Mumbai attack trial
  • NIA filed supplementary charges linking Rana to 26/11 planning
  • Rana previously secured a bed in Tihar after court approval
2 min read

26/11: Tihar jail officials cite security reasons to deny Tahawwur Rana regular phone chats with kin

Tihar officials cite security risks in rejecting Tahawwur Rana's plea for regular phone contact with family in the 26/11 Mumbai attack case.

"Rana cannot be regularly allowed to speak to his family members due to security reasons – Tihar Jail Officials"

New Delhi, Aug 1

Officials of Tihar jail have told a Special NIA Court that 26/11 mastermind Tahawwur Rana cannot be regularly allowed to speak to his family members on the telephone due to security reasons, a lawyer said on Friday.

The prison authorities opposed Rana’s plea for regular telephonic contact with family members in their response filed before the Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Judge at Patiala House Court.

Rana’s plea seeking permission to speak to his family members over the phone is not new. The court had earlier accepted his similar request and allowed him to speak to his family once.

Tihar officials filed the response after the Special Court asked them to clarify their stand on the Pakistani-Canadian national and Mumbai terror attack mastermind’s application seeking permission to have regular telephonic contact with family members.

Rana, who was extradited from the US in April to stand trial in the Mumbai attack case, is in judicial custody till August 13.

Earlier, Rana also sought a bed in his cell in Tihar prison, which was approved by the court and the facility was provided by the jail authorities.

During the earlier proceedings, the NIA informed the court that they had handed over all documents related to Rana’s health to the jail administration.

On June 6, the Special NIA Court had called for a status report from Tihar jail authorities after Rana’s counsel flagged his deteriorating health condition.

The NIA has already filed a supplementary charge sheet against Rana, a former officer of the Pakistan Army’s Medical Corps, following an initial charge sheet filed against him in 2012.

The latest set of charges also included Rana’s arrest memo, seizure memos, and several other related documents.

The NIA had also collected voice and handwriting samples of Rana as a precursor to match them with recordings of his telephonic discussions with 26/11 co-accused David Coleman Headley.

NIA sources had earlier said that during interrogation, Rana had claimed that his childhood friend and co-accused Headley was solely responsible for the reconnaissance and planning aspects of 26/11.

Jailed in the US, Headley, who turned approver in the case, had earlier admitted to conducting recce missions across India, including Mumbai, on behalf of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I understand security concerns, basic human rights should be maintained. Even terrorists deserve minimal contact with family. The bed request was approved, why not monitored calls? 🤔
A
Arjun K
Remember 26/11 every time you feel sympathy for these terrorists. Our NSG commandos who sacrificed their lives didn't get to say goodbye to their families. Justice must be served without compromise.
S
Sarah B
As someone living in Mumbai during the attacks, I still get nightmares. The court should focus on speeding up the trial rather than these minor requests. We've waited 15 years for justice!
V
Vikram M
Security agencies must be extra careful - we've seen how terrorists use communication channels to pass messages. Better safe than sorry. Our forces know what they're doing.
K
Kavya N
The fact that he's getting a bed and medical attention shows our system is humane. But phone calls are different - could be misused. Let's not forget the gravity of his crimes.

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