26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana seeks court permission to speak with family

NEW DELHI: Jailed 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana has submitted a plea through his counsel on April 19 seeking permission to communicate with his family members.

In response, the Delhi Patiala Court issued a notice to NIA regarding his plea and the matter will be heard on April 23.

The 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian submitted the plea before special judge Hardeep Kaur . He was sent to 18 day custody by a court on April 10.

According to the NIA, Rana was a key conspirator and a close aide of David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, the Pakistani-American terrorist who conducted reconnaissance missions ahead of the attacks. The agency told the court that Headley discussed the entire operation with Rana before travelling to India.

The probing agency said that Headley had sent Rana an email listing his belongings and assets, anticipating potential risks associated with his mission. The agency further claimed that Headley had informed Rana about the involvement of Pakistani nationals Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman, both of whom are also accused in the case.

The 26/11 Mumbai attacks targeted major landmarks including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi Trident, and the Jewish community centre Nariman House. The attacks left 166 people dead and hundreds injured over a nearly 60-hour siege, marking one of the deadliest terror strikes in India's history.