New Delhi
Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, filed a petition on Tuesday in a Special NIA court seeking permission to speak with his family over the phone from jail. The court is expected to consider his request on Wednesday. Rana said he wants to talk to his family because they are worried about his health and well-being.
Last month, a similar plea by Rana was rejected by the same court after the NIA opposed it, fearing that he could share sensitive information. Rana was extradited from the US recently to face trial in India for his alleged role in the 26/11 attacks, which killed 166 people and injured many others.
On May 9, the court sent Rana to judicial custody until June 6, pausing his questioning by the NIA. Earlier, on May 3, the agency collected his voice and handwriting samples to compare with recorded conversations he had with co-accused David Coleman Headley. Rana is suspected of giving Headley notes containing instructions and maps used to plan the attacks.
Rana, a former Pakistan Army Medical Corps officer, has denied any involvement in planning or executing the attacks, saying Headley alone was responsible for the reconnaissance work. Headley, now in US custody, turned approver and admitted to scouting locations in India for the attack on behalf of Lashkar-e-Toiba.
During questioning, Rana also mentioned traveling to Kerala to meet an acquaintance, providing details to the authorities. Mumbai Police also questioned him during his NIA custody. The case continues as the court reviews his petition.