No biryani, no VIP treatment for Rana: Hero tea seller

Mumbai

Mohammed Taufiq, known as 'Chotu Chai Wala', who helped many people escape the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has demanded strict punishment for accused Tahawwur Rana. He said Rana should not be given any special treatment like biryani or a separate jail cell and called for his public hanging.

Taufiq was at his tea stall at Mumbai’s CST station during the 2008 attack. He alerted and guided many to safety and rushed the injured to hospital. Recalling the horrors, he said he saw people dying in front of him.

Taufiq thanked the US government for approving Rana's extradition and said such terrorists should be punished quickly and harshly. There’s no need to spend crores on their safety like we did for Kasab, he said, adding he would celebrate if Rana is sentenced to death.

Though Kasab’s biryani story was later clarified as false by prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Taufiq said such myths should not distract from justice.

Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian and associate of key conspirator David Headley, is expected to arrive in New Delhi soon. He will likely be kept in Tihar Jail’s high-security ward.

Taufiq also stressed that while the government helped victims, no amount of money could bring back lost lives. Terrorists should be punished within 15 days or a few months. Delay only gives time for others to try and save them, he said.

Special prosecutor appointed in Rana case

New Delhi

The Centre has named advocate Narender Mann as the special public prosecutor in the Mumbai terror attack case involving Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who is being extradited from the US and expected to arrive on Thursday. Mann will handle the trial and related matters in the NIA case for three years, as per a late-night notification.