26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana is being extradited to India and will be taken to the NIA headquarters in Delhi under a multi-layered security cover. His transport from the technical airport includes bulletproof vehicles, SWAT commandos, and an armoured convoy. NIA officials are escorting him on a special flight from Los Angeles, and he will be formally arrested post medical checks upon arrival.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00And we're hours away from 2611. Mastermind Tahavul Rana touching down on Indian soil.
00:06An NIA team will be bringing in Tahavul Rana to Delhi shortly for obvious security reasons.
00:12The entire mission is being kept top secret right now.
00:17There's a sea of security that's been deployed.
00:19What we're hearing is that Tahavul Rana, once he touches down in Delhi,
00:23will be taken, in fact, to the NIA court, after which you will see him being taken to the Tihar jail.
00:31Now, there was a lot of speculation about whether Tahavul Rana will be taken to Mumbai or to Delhi.
00:36Until the very last minute, there was no confirmation for obvious reasons
00:40because security has been doubled up and officials did not want any details
00:45about the movement of the 2611 mastermind to be leaked.
00:49So, till the last minute, there was speculation of whether it would be Delhi or Mumbai.
00:52Officials now have confirmed to us here on India Today
00:55that Tahavul Rana will be brought to Delhi, will be lodged in the Tihar jail.
01:00SWAT commandos will be escorting the 2611 plotter in the national capital.
01:06The security apparatus leaving nothing to chance.
01:08Last evening, we also saw a meeting between NSA Ajit Dawal, Home Minister Amit Shah
01:13and External Affairs Minister Jais Shankar as well
01:15to ensure all necessary provisions, all necessary security is put in place in Delhi.
01:21Let me take this across to our reporters.
01:23We've got Amit Bharatwaj joining us live from the Delhi airport.
01:27Shivani Sharma also getting us the latest updates.
01:29Amit, I'm going to begin with you.
01:31At the Delhi airport there, in just about two, three hours,
01:34we're expecting that Tahavul Rana will touch down.
01:37And I'm sure with utmost secrecy, he will be escorted out of the airport.
01:41Right, Akshita, you know, it's just a matter of a couple of hours
01:48that Tahavul Rana will be touching down the Indian soil.
01:53And from there, the Indian agencies will actually try their best
01:57to ensure that he is legally brought to justice
01:59and the people of India who have been waiting for the justice, you know, get their due.
02:04What we are given to understand that, obviously, this is a top secret,
02:08you know, entire mission is being kept in a top secret mode.
02:13And that is why we do not know as to which airport Tahavul Rana will be landing at
02:19and how he is going to be taken to the Tihar jail.
02:22But certainly the security arrangements and the security deployments have been already made.
02:27But we are given to understand that the special unit of the Delhi police,
02:32that is the Niaik Suraksha Vahini,
02:34has been, was asked to deploy its special vehicle at 7 a.m. itself at the airport facility.
02:40And from there, they, and remember, these are the men who are experts in transportation
02:46of any dreaded criminal, be it, you know, Indian or anyone else who needs to be brought to justice.
02:53So they are the experts when it comes to transportation of the criminals.
02:56So the Niaik Suraksha Vahini is at standby since 7 a.m.
03:01Yes, the SWAT team is already there.
03:04The CAPF team has been already deployed.
03:06So from the airport facility, he will be taken to the Tihar jail.
03:09In that process, whether the NIA court is the route
03:12or whether there will be a virtual hearing that Tahavul Hussain Rana will be,
03:17will be, you know, brought in front of the court,
03:19that remains unclear as of now.
03:22But certainly that's what the security deployment looks like.
03:25And you have, as you have mentioned, you know, yesterday itself,
03:28Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with the MEA,
03:31as Jai Sankar, as well as the National Security Advisor, Ajit Tohwal.
03:36And remember the kind of details we also have from the FBI archives.
03:40That is also something that the security agencies will be using when the legal processes in India will begin.
03:46And Mr. Narendra Maan, advocate Narendra Maan, will be taking that legal battle for NIA.
03:53Correct. So Narendra Maan is the public prosecutor in this case.
03:56Think of it like this.
03:57Ujwal Nikam, remember, was a special public prosecutor in the case of Ajmal Kassab.
04:01So here it's Narendra Maan who's been chosen.
04:03And over the next one hour, as we get you all the details,
04:06we'll also break down for you who Narendra Maan is,
04:09why he's been chosen and some of the high-profile cases that he's been involved in.
04:13But Amit telling us that from the Delhi airport,
04:15Tahavur Rana will be escorted perhaps directly to the Tihar jail.
04:20There could be a stopover at the NIA court or that could be later in the day.
04:23Like I said, no details being put forth right now for security reasons.
04:28You can also expect that once he touches down, with the kind of security in place,
04:32there'll be a huge convoy essentially that takes this terrorist,
04:36this man, to Tihar jail where he rightfully belongs.
04:40A lot of updates that have come in.
04:41I'll ask Amit and Shivani to stay on with me.
04:44Let me just quickly begin by rounding up all the latest updates on the story.
04:51D-Day for terror as NIA gets Nord for 2611 mastermind.
04:57Tahavur Rana's trial in Delhi.
05:00Sources tell India today that Rana will be lodged in Tihar jail for the time being.
05:03The terrorist will undergo a trial at a special NIA court in Delhi.
05:14As the capital turns into a fortress ahead of Rana's arrival in New Delhi,
05:19a multi-layered security setup is being put in place.
05:22He will be under the protection of SWAT commandos from the Delhi police special cell.
05:25Tahavur Rana will be escorted in a bulletproof vehicle to Tihar jail.
05:33Meanwhile, in a move to strengthen the prosecution's case,
05:36three senior Delhi police officers, including two inspector general,
05:40one deputy inspector general and superintendent of police,
05:43have been assigned to assist the NIA's legal team.
05:46Elite SWAT teams from the Delhi police special cell will be deployed to ensure
05:55the secure movement of NIA officers throughout the trial proceedings.
05:59Given the high-profile nature of this case and potential security threats,
06:03these commandos will provide close protection, manage courtroom security as well.
06:08The government has appointed advocate Narendra Mana as the special prosecutor,
06:17public prosecutor in this particular case.
06:19He will lead the legal proceedings on behalf of the state against Tahavur Rana.
06:23For 17 years, since the 2611 Mumbai attacks,
06:33we've been counting down to this day of another mastermind,
06:37another plotter in the Mumbai terror attacks,
06:40finally facing the arm of justice here in India.
06:43He's been extradited.
06:44Tahavur Rana has been extradited from the United States of America.
06:48His flight is expected to touch down in New Delhi in a few hours from now.
06:53Once Rana lands in Delhi, he will be officially arrested by the NIA.
06:57He will undergo a trial at a special NIA court in Delhi.
07:00Now, reportedly, Tahavur Rana could be produced virtually before the special NIA judge.
07:05Due to security concerns, moving him back and forth will be a challenge
07:09because of the huge security apparatus also that's being attached to him.
07:13Narendra Mana has been appointed as the special public prosecutor for this high-profile case,
07:17so he will be arguing on behalf of the state against Tahavur Rana.
07:21So, Tahavur Rana way hearing will be kept, will be lodged at the Tihar Jail
07:25and all preparations for his stay have been completed.
07:28Remember, yesterday when there was uncertainty whether it would be Delhi or Mumbai,
07:31there were two jails that were kept ready.
07:33The Yerwada Jail, Eid Maharashtra and you had the Tihar Jail in Delhi.
07:38But the nod has been given by the government for Tahavur Rana to touch down in Delhi.
07:42There's been heightened security put in place around Tihar now
07:45in view of Tahavur Rana being lodged there.
07:48Three senior Delhi police officers have been assigned to support the NIA's legal team.
07:53Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that Tahavur Rana's extradition
07:57is a major diplomatic victory of the Narendra Modi-led government.
08:01Remember, what paved way for this moment was the meeting
08:04between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump in February
08:07when finally you had the confirmation coming in from none other than President Trump
08:10that the extradition will happen.
08:15I think this is a major development
08:17and it establishes a yardstick of sorts.
08:23Tahavur Rana has been an ISI agent for a long time.
08:28They were one of the key facilitators in North America,
08:33whether it is Canada or the United States.
08:36He, in fact, facilitated the travels of David Coleman Hadley
08:41when he came to Rikki, the targets for the 2008 attack.
08:46He arranged his travel plans, visas, everything.
08:51So, he is a key person.
08:53He is a key person who was involved in the conspiracy for the attack.
08:58He is a key person who was involved in the conspiracy for the attack.
08:58And then you have BJP MP Kangana Ranaut
09:22who has launched a scathing critique of the Congress
09:25accusing it of being disconnected from Sonatani roots
09:28and aligned with foreign interests.
09:33We are connected with Sonatani.
09:34We are connected with Sonatani.
09:35And this is that the English people who have lost their children here.
09:40This is the fact of the Congress.
09:42Look, everyone knows what they are thinking.
09:45What they are thinking about?
09:46They are thinking about the four-four-fourers.
09:48Where they are, they are caught up there.
09:51And they are gangsters.
09:52What they are thinking about the government?
09:55How much is it?
09:56How much is it?
09:56How much is it?
09:57How much is it?
09:57How much is it?
09:58How much is it?
09:58The government was the first-four-year government.
10:01There is no need for it.
10:02There is no need for it.
10:03There is no need for it for their country.
10:05There is no need for it.
10:06But is it enough?
10:08Do you think about it?
10:09Think about it.
10:10In the parliament, we have done a terrorist attack on the parliament.
10:14Every place has been attacked.
10:16Because it has been met with Pakistan.
10:18Okay, let's bring in Srishti Oja.
10:21She is joining us live from outside the court in which there is a possibility of Tahavul Rana being produced.
10:28Shivani Sharma is joining us live from the NIA office in Delhi.
10:31Shivani, I am going to take this across to you first on the kind of security setup that has been made.
10:35The NIA gets custody first of Tahavul Rana.
10:38And right now, as he is on his way, do we have any details about whether an NIA team has been escorting him on that special plane?
10:50Akshita, see, this is a very high-profile, sensitive extradition that India is carrying out.
10:56And on the plane where he is being extradited, the plane that is en route, there is a special team of NIA officials who were already there in the United States to take custody of Tahavul Rana and he will be landing here.
11:08And official arrests will be made here after the proper protocol procedures of medicals and other procedures that have to be followed in this extradition, Akshita.
11:16This is a high-profile case.
11:18This has been long pending since 2019.
11:21India has been trying his extradition.
11:23So the preparations are all in order.
11:26The additional forces have been placed at the airport where he will be landing.
11:31The whole convoy of these special security vehicles is already ready and it is waiting at the airport.
11:37Since this is a sensitive issue, more details are not being shared or not being made public during this whole extradition procedure.
11:46But yes, the preparations are all on, all set.
11:49The officials have already been assigned.
11:51There is a team that is traveling with Tahavul Rana.
11:54And at the NIA headquarters also where we are present right now, there are additional CAPFs, also additional special forces who have been put in place for his movement to be secure.
12:05And he has to be kept away from the public for the time being because of the security reasons, of course.
12:13But yes, even though it is holiday in the courts, he might be produced virtually in one of the NIA special courts.
12:19And the custody will be taken by the NIA.
12:22And he might be lost in the Tihar jail where the preparations are already done.
12:26The barrack is ready for Tahavul Rana and the investigation will move further.
12:30This is a big day, Akshita, for India because the perpetrators of 2611 will be put to trials and justice will be done to all those who lost their lives and their families.
12:40Very true. 165 lives lost in this terror attack.
12:44There is blood on Tahavul Rana's hands.
12:46Let's be very clear about that.
12:48It has been a long journey to this very moment, to this very moment of ensuring that he is brought to Indian soil,
12:54pays the price for what he did for his role in the 2611 terror attacks.
12:58I want to bring in Srishti Uja, who is joining us live right now from outside a court in Delhi.
13:03Srishti, we understand that Tahavul Rana, initially it was suspected that he would be taken to the court.
13:08Due to security reasons, we are being told, in all likelihood, he will directly be taken to Tihar and be produced virtually at the special NIA court.
13:18Well, Akshita, like Shivani also rightly pointed out, it is an extremely high profile and sensitive matter,
13:26which is why certain details with regard to where he will be taken, etc. were not clear.
13:31There are still speculations with regard to that.
13:33But once he is arrested by NIA after he lands in India, he will definitely have to be produced before an NIA special judge.
13:41Now, whether that happens virtually or he is taken physically before the special judge is something that remains to be seen.
13:47The possibilities here as of now is, firstly, from what we have learned from our sources,
13:51there is a likelihood that Tahavul Rana would be produced virtually due to security concern before the concerned special NIA judge.
13:59The second possibility is the concerned court with regard, as far as Tahavul Rana's case here is concerned,
14:05would be the Patyala House court.
14:07We are standing right outside Patyala House court, where we also see security deployment, which is visible.
14:13So, that also indicates the possibility of Tahavul Rana being brought to Patyala House court to be produced before the judge.
14:20The third possibility could also be that it could be taken to the concerned judge's residence,
14:25considering the courts are closed today.
14:29But the security deployment outside Patyala House seems to indicate that there is a possibility
14:34that he could be brought to court physically or be produced virtually.
14:39Either way, it will be important to see what exactly when the NIA tell courts today,
14:45it will, in all likelihood, it will lay out its allegations against Tahavul Rana
14:49and also likely to seek police custody to interrogate him further.
14:54Remember, in February, we saw NIA move in an application before.
15:00This very Patyala House court stating that...
15:03You know, he's faced a trial.
15:05David Hedley and Tahavul Rana have faced a trial in Mumbai in absentia
15:09because he's never been brought to India.
15:11He's been in the US since his arrest.
15:14And so, this moment is very, very crucial.
15:17Why exactly?
15:18What is Tahavul Rana accused of?
15:20Let's tell you about his role in the 26-11 attacks.
15:23Tahavul Rana is linked to the Pakistani army.
15:26He was a member of the army, served as a doctor in the Pakistani army
15:30and was linked to terror plots since 2005.
15:32Not just in India, but he was also accused of attempting to pull off a terror attack
15:37against a Danish newspaper and the members of the company.
15:43Now, he provided essentially logistical and financial support.
15:46What do we mean by that?
15:47This man ran an immigration company in America.
15:51So, he collaborated with Hedley, who was reportedly his childhood friend,
15:54provided him with a visa to visit India and conduct that recce for the 26-11 attacks.
15:58He was also known for, in fact, collaborating with several other terrorists also for future attacks.
16:06David Hedley actually persuaded Rana to meet with Rehman,
16:10one of the other masterminds of the 26-11 attacks.
16:12And that meeting happened in Dubai.
16:15So, after that meeting, Tahavul Rana then was on board.
16:18He helped Hedley get an Indian visa because he runs a string of immigration offices in US.
16:24He used his Chicago office as an L.E.T. cover.
16:28And what he did is he gave David Hedley essentially an alibi.
16:31Said he is going there to set up another office in Mumbai for Tahavul Rana.
16:35He is linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
16:37He is linked to another group called Hujji.
16:39He has provided crucial Lashkar info during an India visit.
16:44Now, the Indian government very clearly in their dossier against Tahavul Rana have also highlighted
16:48that Rana with his wife had visited India and had stayed at the Taj Hotel,
16:52the very hotel that was attacked in the 26-11 attacks.
16:57Tahavul Rana and David Hedley are the key plotters,
17:01the ones who conducted the wreckies who masterminded this entire plan of the November 26-11 attacks.
17:08So, while, of course, we know now about Tahavul Rana being brought back to India,
17:11there's a big question mark over David Hedley who's currently serving a 23-year jail term in America.
17:16What's his role in the attack?
17:18Of Pakistani origin, his name is actually Dawood Gilani.
17:22He conducted a Mumbai recon.
17:25He was part of, in fact, the reconnaissance team that had gone before the attacks took place.
17:31Conducted recce of every single location and made multiple trips to India to do that.
17:37Essentially, he was working for Lashkar and the ISI.
17:40This is something even Tahavul Rana has said that he was with the ISI.
17:43He was a conduit of sorts for these attacks, plotting it, doing wreckies,
17:48then recommending to terrorists where they should attack, how they should go about it.
17:52He ran an immigrant law center in Mumbai.
17:54This is what I was referring to.
17:56Tahavul Rana had an immigration company which he ran in US.
17:59So, David Hedley took that up, said he's opening a branch for Tahavul Rana in Mumbai.
18:04That was his excuse and that's how he got his visa as well.
18:07In 2005, he planned several other attacks.
18:10Remember the one I referred to about the Danish newspaper attack that Tahavul Rana was planning?
18:14That was, again, both of them working together of David Hedley and Tahavul Rana.
18:19Hafiz Syed was the one who directed David Hedley to go ahead and conduct these wreckies,
18:26choose the targets in Mumbai.
18:28He was the one who visited several locations.
18:30There are multiple pictures of Hedley also conducting these wreckies.
18:34That's part of the government dossier.
18:36He used Tahavul Rana's contacts for a cover.
18:38He managed to get his visa doing it.
18:40He managed to get an alibi doing it as well.
18:43It was, in fact, in 2008, two years before the 26-11 attacks,
18:47that David Hedley had applied for an Indian visa.
18:50And months later, he got that visa, arrived in Mumbai.
18:53In September is when he had arrived in Mumbai.
18:56And so, David Hedley used Tahavul Rana's contacts not just to get the visa,
19:01but for all logistical help as well.
19:03To stay in Mumbai, Tahavul Rana helped David Hedley.
19:08Now, in 2007, after that particular visit,
19:11imagine they were planning this terror attack for two years.
19:132006 was his first visit.
19:15Months later, again, in 2007, he applied for a visa extension.
19:19Because that was a tourist visa, he again applied for a visa extension.
19:23It was extended for 10 years.
19:25How was this possible?
19:27Quite simply because he was not on the agency's radar, one.
19:30And secondly, because he went through Tahavul Rana's immigration company
19:34and said, I'm setting up another base for it in Mumbai.
19:37So, he had an alibi.
19:39He had a reason that he put forth also for getting this visa.
19:42All right, and we're getting breaking news that's coming in right now.
19:50What we're hearing now is that Tahavul Rana, once he touches down in India,
19:54which is just a few hours from now,
19:56he will be brought directly from the Delhi airport to the NIA office.
20:00So, he's not going to be taken directly to the Tihar jail.
20:03He'll first be taken to the NIA office.
20:07And what we're hearing right now is that Tihar jail authorities haven't been given any heads up right now,
20:14any intimation about Tahavul Rana being brought to their jail.
20:20So, it looks unlikely that he will be taken to Tihar jail.
20:23There is obviously a lot of speculation.
20:25You cannot expect right now that authorities will give a clear picture
20:28of exactly where Tahavul Rana will be taken
20:31because of the security cover involved,
20:34because how sensitive this particular case is.
20:37And Tahavul Rana will be taken with a SWAT commando team
20:41who will be taking him in a bulletproof card.
20:43We understand that he will now be taken directly to the NIA office,
20:48not to a court, not to the Tihar jail either.
20:52So, the NIA office is where you're going to be seeing maximum security.
20:56Let's bring in Shivani for more details.
20:59So, on that, Shivani has been reporting from the NIA office.
21:04We'll try to get you Shivani for, in fact, more details
21:08on what's happening there at the NIA office.
21:11For details, really, of the kind of security also being put in place on your screens
21:16are images from the NIA court in Delhi,
21:19where, again, there's heightened security.
21:21It's unclear, really, of what the protocol is,
21:24or for that matter, what will be the protocol followed in this particular case.
21:27We know that a special public prosecutor has also been put up,
21:33has also been already assigned in this particular case.
21:36It's advocate Narendra Man, who will be leading the trial against Tahavul Rana.
21:41But for now, we understand that while you're seeing this kind of security
21:44at the Patiala house court in Delhi,
21:46we're hearing that Tahavul Rana will be taken directly to the NIA office.
21:51Let's bring in Ashutosh Mishra.
21:55He's joining us live from Tihar Jail.
21:56Ashutosh, the news break just coming in.
21:58It's that Tahavul Rana is going to be taken to the NIA office
22:02that Tihar Jail officials haven't really been intimated about
22:05about Tahavul Rana coming or being brought to Tihar Jail.
22:09Is that correct?
22:10Well, what we have been reporting for the last couple of days
22:17that this is the entire process, and that's the legal process of India.
22:21Anson, when he touches town on the Indian soil,
22:23he will be informed that he's been taken into custody.
22:26He has been formally arrested.
22:27And immediately, the agency, which is investigating,
22:30since the case is handed over to NIA
22:32and the jurisdiction is shifted from Mumbai to Delhi for trial,
22:36the NIA will take him to the headquarter.
22:37Of course, with the SWAT commandos giving protection,
22:41he being one of the most wanted face for Indian agencies.
22:46But in terms of investigation,
22:47he is also a very high-value asset for investigation.
22:51His security will be ensured by these agencies.
22:54After the investigation, as the medical process is required,
22:57that will be thoroughly done at the NIA headquarter itself
23:00in the high-value cell, high-security cell.
23:04And then he will be produced before the NIA code,
23:06which is the legal process.
23:07And remember, when he is produced,
23:09it will be made sure about his security.
23:12So it could be also virtually.
23:13And I remember, in October 2015,
23:17when Chhota Rajan was arrested from Bali
23:19on the intelligence input by the Australian police,
23:22he was arrested, he was brought to India,
23:24and he was landed at Palam Technical Airport
23:27in a high-security midnight.
23:29He was very early morning,
23:30he was taken to the CBI headquarter
23:32and then later transferred to Tihar Jail.
23:35So all these processes, when it is done,
23:37first the investigative agency will take custody of it.
23:40They will seek remand for the investigation.
23:42And as in when the remand period
23:43or the investigation required by different agencies
23:46is completed,
23:47the agency will seek judicial custody.
23:51And only when the NIA court grants judicial custody,
23:54he will be brought here right behind me
23:55at the Tihar Jail
23:56in a high-value, high-security prison,
23:58high-security cell.
23:59And remember, Chhota Rajan,
24:00and many of these high-value terrorists,
24:04most wanted terrorists,
24:05have been kept here in the past,
24:07and several others.
24:08Because remember,
24:09a couple of days ago,
24:10when we had this input,
24:11that how the high-value cells
24:13from Tihar Jail,
24:14from Arthur Road, Mumbai,
24:16and in Yarwada Jail in Pune,
24:17are being prepared,
24:18because that will,
24:19agencies will decide
24:20what will be the best options.
24:22And even when it is in custody,
24:23there will be different administrative agencies.
24:25There is no steps being taken
24:27at the Tihar Jail for preps,
24:28because that perhaps will happen
24:30at a later stage,
24:31once the NIA court really decides
24:33of what's going to happen.
24:34And that's essentially going to be decided
24:37in the Patiala House Court,
24:38where Srishti Ojai is reporting live right now.
24:40Srishti, security being deployed there,
24:43but we're hearing that
24:44Tahavu Rana essentially from the airport
24:46will directly be taken to the NIA office.
24:49Post that,
24:49is he going to be produced at the court,
24:52or is he going to appear virtually?
24:58Well, Lakshita, as we know,
25:00this is an extremely highly sensitive operation
25:05that is being conducted
25:06as far as Tahavu Rana's extradition is concerned.
25:10So, the details with regard to
25:12where he'll be taken, etc.,
25:14have not been confirmed.
25:15However, considering he will be arrested
25:18once he lands by the NIA,
25:21he will have to be produced
25:23before a special NIA judge.
25:24That's the legal procedure.
25:25So, eventually, the NIA will be asking for custody
25:28and the court will hear the arguments
25:30and decide based on that.
25:33Now, talking about
25:34where he's likely to be produced,
25:36the concerned court
25:37for this particular case
25:39would be the Patiala House Court.
25:41I asked my cameraman to show you the visuals.
25:44We can clearly see
25:44there is some amount of police deployment
25:47even outside Patiala House Court.
25:49What we had heard from our sources
25:51was that in all,
25:52there's a possibility
25:52that Tahavu Rana would be produced
25:54virtually before the special NIA judge
25:57considering the security concerns
25:59in this matter.
26:01However, there's also a possibility
26:03seeing the police deployment,
26:05it seems like there's an indication
26:07that there is a possibility
26:08that he could also be physically
26:09brought to Patiala House Court.
26:11The third possibility in this case
26:13could also be since courts are closed today.
26:16Not all the judges are sitting.
26:17Only one of the duty magistrates
26:19would be sitting at Patiala House Court.
26:20There's also a possibility
26:21that Tahavu Rana could be.
26:23If he is to be produced physically,
26:25he could be produced
26:26before the special NIA judge
26:29at his residence
26:30either virtually or physically.
26:32So, there are a few possibilities
26:33that we are considering
26:35as far as his production
26:37before the special NIA judge is concerned.
26:40He definitely needs to be produced.
26:41That's what the law says.
26:42He will post his arrest in 24 hours
26:45after getting his medical done, etc.
26:47He will definitely have to be produced
26:49by the NIA.
26:51Tell the court the reasons of arrest,
26:53the arguments and the allegations
26:55against Rana
26:56and also how many days police custody.
26:58that this trial will take place.
27:01In what manner will it happen?
27:03Will Tahavu Rana be produced
27:05physically in the court?
27:06It's possible that it can happen
27:08virtually as well.
27:09And as Srishti tells us,
27:10the court is currently on leave.
27:12But you have a few sitting judges right now.
27:14So, there's even the question
27:15about whether Tahavu Rana
27:16will directly be taken
27:17to the judge's residence.
27:19So, that looks unlikely right now.
27:20Forgive us for all of the speculation.
27:22Because right now,
27:23the kind of security blanket
27:25that you're seeing,
27:25officials are not divulging any details
27:29of what really is the route
27:30that Tahavu Rana will be taking
27:32or for that matter,
27:33where he'll be taken first.
27:34What we're hearing is,
27:35yes, as per the procedure,
27:37first he'll be taken to the NIA office.
27:40If he's taken to the Tihar jail
27:41and he's going to be lodged there,
27:43that could be much later in the day
27:45because a protocol demands
27:46that first there is a hearing
27:48before a judge
27:49in which the NIA officially
27:51seeks his custody.
27:52Amit Bharatwaj is live with us
27:54from the Delhi airport
27:55We're expecting Amit
27:56that the special plane
27:58carrying Tahavu Rana
27:59could land in a few hours from now.
28:01Have you been able to pick up
28:02any details
28:02of when really
28:03he's expected to touch down
28:05in Delhi?
28:10Akshata, you know,
28:11it's pretty sure
28:12that he's going to be landing,
28:14the NIA team will be landing
28:16in Delhi, in India
28:17in a couple of hours from now.
28:19But what exactly is the time?
28:22Where is the aircraft landing?
28:23What is the process
28:25that remains under the wrap
28:27right now
28:27because of the sensitivity
28:28of the matter
28:29and the security protocol
28:30which has been deployed?
28:32But certainly, you know,
28:33as I was also mentioning
28:34that the Niaik Suraksha
28:37Vahini of the Delhi police
28:38is the nodal point
28:40in which
28:41in the specialized vehicle
28:42of the Niaik Suraksha
28:43Vahini of Delhi police,
28:45Tahavu Rana,
28:46will be taken
28:47to the NIA office.
28:48Now, it seems to be a fact
28:50that, you know,
28:51the moment he lands
28:52in India, in Delhi,
28:55NIA will put him
28:56under arrest,
28:57you know,
28:57officially as well.
28:58Obviously, there is
28:59a surrender warrant
28:59that has been,
29:01the due process in US
29:02has been already completed
29:03and the NIA team
29:04is bringing him
29:05back to India.
29:06But as per the Indian law,
29:07he will be arrested
29:08by the NIA team
29:09in India
29:10moments after
29:11he reaches,
29:13you know,
29:13the team touches down
29:14the airport in India
29:16and after that
29:16he will be transported
29:18in a very secured manner
29:19by the Niaik Suraksha Vahini
29:22to the NIA office
29:23and from there
29:24it seems like,
29:25you know,
29:26Akshata,
29:26that the virtual hearing
29:28could be a bigger possibility
29:29because in case of such a,
29:31you know,
29:32sensitive case
29:33where extradition
29:34has taken so many years
29:36and there are other
29:37legal and security aspects
29:38to it as well,
29:40you would not want
29:41to maximize
29:42the exposure
29:43of the Havur Hussain Rana
29:44in India
29:45or on the streets of Delhi
29:47and that is why
29:47there is a high possibility
29:49that there could be
29:51a virtual hearing.
29:52But certainly,
29:53you know,
29:53we need to also look
29:54into the angles
29:55of what our investigative agencies
29:57have been collecting
29:58the evidences
29:59and the charges
29:59that our investigative agencies
30:01have collected
30:02over the years
30:03as well as the FBI's archive
30:05in this particular case
30:06as you were also mentioning
30:07his role
30:08in the Denmark attack,
30:10his role,
30:11how he facilitated,
30:12you know,
30:13ensured logistical support
30:15and facilities
30:16to David Hedley
30:17especially
30:18through his
30:20first
30:21white immigration office.
30:21No, and he was actually
30:22in jail
30:23in America
30:24for 14 years
30:25for that particular attack.
30:27He was actually acquitted
30:28for his role
30:29in the 2611 attacks
30:30by a US court
30:31but was found guilty
30:33of a conspiracy
30:33because of the terror attack
30:35in Denmark
30:35that he tried
30:36to pull off.
30:38The details of which
30:38are shocking
30:39because reportedly
30:40Tahavur Rana
30:40was plotting
30:41with David Hedley
30:42a terror attack
30:43in Denmark
30:43where they wanted
30:44to behead employees
30:45of a Danish newspaper
30:46for publishing cartoons
30:48on Prophet Mohammed.
30:49They wanted to behead them
30:50and throw their heads
30:51onto the streets
30:53of Copenhagen.
30:54That was the shocking
30:55kind of terror plot
30:56that he was involved in
30:58for which he was serving
30:5914 years in jail.
31:00So that's why
31:01getting him now
31:02to India
31:02is a huge diplomatic coup.
31:05It's taken years
31:06of sustained efforts
31:07for this moment
31:08for Tahavur Rana
31:09to be brought
31:10to India
31:11to face trial here.
31:12I will talk about that
31:13in just a bit
31:14about the kind of procedure
31:15it's taken
31:16and how authorities
31:17have been at it
31:17for years together
31:1917 years
31:20since the attack.
31:22Now finally
31:22you see a positive moment
31:24for Indian agencies
31:25in the investigation
31:26into those terror attacks.
31:27But in our next report
31:28I decode for you
31:30who exactly
31:31Tahavur Rana is
31:32how his origins
31:33began from the
31:34Pakistani army
31:35and then being
31:36a US based businessman
31:38continued working
31:39as a front
31:39for the LETA
31:40for the ISI.
31:44Tahavur Rana
31:452611 plotter
31:46has been extradited
31:48to India
31:48after his plea
31:49before the US
31:50Supreme Court
31:50was rejected.
31:51So let's now
31:52tell you
31:53who exactly
31:53Tahavur Rana is
31:54and why he's
31:55wanted in India.
31:56Tahavur Rana
31:58is a Canadian
32:00national of
32:00Pakistani origin
32:01who's been
32:02actively involved
32:03in terror activities.
32:04He initially
32:05served as a doctor
32:06in the Pakistan army
32:07before moving
32:08to Canada
32:09in the late
32:091990s.
32:11After obtaining
32:12Canadian citizenship
32:13he settled
32:14in Chicago
32:14where he operated
32:15various businesses
32:16including
32:17an immigration
32:18consultancy.
32:19He established
32:20several businesses
32:21First World Immigration
32:23Services being
32:23one which was
32:24an immigration
32:25service agency
32:26with offices
32:26in Chicago,
32:27New York
32:28and Toronto.
32:29He also
32:29founded a
32:30halal slaughterhouse
32:31in Chicago
32:32as one of his
32:32businesses.
32:33Besides the
32:342611 terror attack
32:36Rana is also
32:36accused of
32:37another terror attack.
32:39He was convicted
32:39of conspiracy
32:40to provide
32:41material support
32:42to a plot
32:43from October
32:442008 to
32:45October 2009
32:46to commit
32:46murder
32:47in Denmark.
32:48And that
32:48included a
32:49horrific plan
32:50to behead
32:50employees
32:51of a Danish
32:52newspaper
32:52and throw
32:53their heads
32:54onto the
32:54streets
32:55in Copenhagen.
32:55This over
32:56a 2005
32:56publication
32:57of cartoons
32:58depicting
32:59the Prophet
32:59Mohammed
33:00which had
33:00sparked
33:01widespread
33:01outrage
33:02among the
33:02Muslim
33:02community.
33:07Tahavul Rana
33:07was a
33:08childhood
33:08friend of
33:09David Headley
33:10so even
33:10the Danish
33:11newspaper
33:11attack
33:12was allegedly
33:13co-planned.
33:14Let's talk
33:15now about
33:15the 2611
33:16attacks and
33:17how Rana
33:18was involved
33:18in that.
33:22Remember
33:28the 2611
33:28attacks was
33:30orchestrated by
33:30the Lashkaray
33:31Taiba in
33:32November 2008
33:33in different
33:34parts of
33:34Mumbai in
33:35which 165
33:37innocent lives
33:38were lost.
33:39Tahavul Rana
33:40was involved
33:40in the planning
33:41of the attack.
33:42Rana had
33:43visited Mumbai
33:44with his wife
33:44and stayed
33:45at the Taj Mahal
33:46hotel which
33:47if you remember
33:47was attacked
33:48by these
33:48terrorists.
33:49One of the
33:50main conspirators
33:51of the 2611
33:52attack
33:53Pakistani
33:53American
33:55David Coleman
33:56Headley
33:56had testified
33:57against Rana
33:58and during
33:58his interrogation
33:59in America
34:00Headley had
34:01essentially revealed
34:02that he had
34:02travelled to
34:03India five
34:04times between
34:052007 and
34:062008 and
34:07done a recce
34:08for the Mumbai
34:08attacks and
34:09he did this
34:10using a five
34:11year visa that
34:12Tahavul Rana
34:13had helped him
34:14obtain.
34:15Essentially
34:15Rana's
34:16immigration office
34:17provided cover
34:18for Headley's
34:19operations.
34:20As part of
34:20his cover
34:21Headley even
34:22opened a
34:22branch of
34:23Rana's
34:23law office
34:24in Mumbai.
34:25There were
34:26also phone
34:26conversations
34:27between the
34:27two terrorists
34:28and one of
34:29them
34:29Tahavul Rana
34:30told David
34:31Headley that
34:31the attackers
34:32involved in
34:32the Mumbai
34:33terror attacks
34:34should receive
34:35Pakistan's
34:36highest posthumous
34:37military honours.
34:40India also
34:41presented evidence
34:42that Tahavul Rana
34:43acted as a
34:43conduit passing
34:44messages between
34:45Headley and
34:46one of his
34:46Pakistan-based
34:47operatives.
34:48And that's
34:49why on
34:4918th October
34:502009, both
34:52Rana and
34:52Headley were
34:53arrested at the
34:54O'Hare International
34:55Airport in
34:55Chicago on
34:56multiple terrorism
34:57charges.
34:59Tahavul Rana put
34:59up a very weak
35:00defence against the
35:01mountain of
35:02evidence.
35:03In his defence,
35:03Rana argued that
35:05he had agreed to
35:05support Headley's
35:06activities in India
35:07because he was
35:08led to believe that
35:09he was working for
35:10the ISI, essentially
35:11for the Pakistan
35:12government.
35:13But shockingly,
35:14despite all of the
35:15evidence against
35:15Tahavul Rana,
35:16a US court
35:17acquitted him
35:18in 2011 on
35:19charges of
35:20abetting the
35:20Mumbai terror
35:21attacks.
35:22This proved to
35:23be a huge
35:23setback for
35:24Indian authorities.
35:25Rana, however,
35:26was convicted for
35:27providing material
35:28support to the
35:29LED and helping
35:30with the terror
35:31plot that I
35:31referred to earlier
35:32in Denmark.
35:33And so, he was
35:34sentenced to
35:3414 years in
35:35prison.
35:37Here in India,
35:38Rana and
35:39Headley were
35:39given a trial in
35:40absentia in a
35:41Mumbai high court
35:42for their
35:43involvement in
35:432611.
35:44And for years,
35:45we've been
35:46seeking the
35:46extradition of
35:47Tahavul Rana.
35:49And now,
35:49finally, the
35:50wheels are
35:51moving.
35:52After Prime
35:53Minister Modi's
35:54visit to
35:54America,
35:55President Trump
35:56assured that
35:57Rana would be
35:57extradited.
35:58This was in
35:59February.
35:59today, I'm
36:00pleased to announce
36:01that my
36:01administration has
36:02approved the
36:03extradition of
36:04one of the
36:05plotters and
36:05one of the
36:06very evil people
36:07of the world.
36:09And having to
36:11do with the
36:11horrific 2008
36:14Mumbai terrorist
36:15attack to face
36:17justice in India.
36:19So, he's going
36:20to be going back
36:21to India to face
36:23justice.
36:23Rana attempted
36:53to stay his extradition to India with a last ditch attempt, a plea in the US Supreme Court
36:58claiming his life is in danger in India. His appeal was shot down and he's now been extradited.
37:11And let's get you more details that are emerging of how Tahavul Rana will be transported from the
37:16Palam airport in Delhi. He will be taken to the NIA headquarters in a bulletproof vehicle.
37:22There is also a planned massive security convoy to transport Rana taking no chances here.
37:29Security officials are ensuring maximum security when Tahavul Rana is taken from the Palam
37:34technical airport to the NIA office, to the NIA headquarters in Delhi. Armored vehicles will
37:41be accompanying the bulletproof car in which Tahavul Rana will be traveling. Delhi police
37:45commandos, special commandos have been deployed for the security. A SWAT commando team will be
37:51accompanying Tahavul Rana wherever he goes. Now, because of the huge security deployment
37:56that's planned, in all likelihood, once he's taken to the NIA office, there's little chance
38:01of him being taken out, perhaps for a court hearing. In all likelihood, that will happen
38:06virtually. I want to bring in Shivani Sharma for the latest updates on that. We've got
38:10Manishu Mishra also joining us from the Palam technical airport. This is part of the Delhi
38:16airport. This is where you have the VIPs usually arriving. And because of Tahavul Rana being a high
38:21security terrorist right now, nothing being left to chance right now. I want to bring in Shivani
38:27first. Shivani, just run us through the kind of security arrangements being made. For obvious reasons,
38:33you're going to see a massive convoy. Little chance really of any of us catching a glimpse of
38:37Tahavul Rana because he's going to be very quickly escorted out of the airport directly to the NIA
38:42office. Akshita, this is a high profile and a very sensitive extradition that is being carried out
38:52by the NIA in India. And in a couple of hours, when Tahavul Rana will be landing in India, he'll be
38:57landing certainly on the technical airport because he cannot be brought from the civil areas. And he's
39:03traveling on a special flight along with the NIA officials. And when we talk of the security, there's a
39:07multiple layer of security that has been already prepared. When he comes, he will be made to sit in a
39:14ballistic vehicle, the vehicle that that is used by the paramilitary forces, by the police for special
39:20operations. This is not only bulletproof vehicle, Akshita, but also it can withstand any kind of grenade
39:26attacks too. Remember, when Tahavul Rana is here, we have to be very sensitive. And it is very important
39:33to keep him secure. He's a high profile terrorist here. And he was wanted by India. And when this
39:41investigation goes on, his security is also important. So that's why there are multiple
39:44layers of security, not only at the airport, when the convoy will move, it will not be a convoy that
39:50can be exposed, but it will be a well secured convoy with multiple vehicles of ballistic vehicles,
39:58armored vehicles out there. And he will be accompanied by the SWAT team, the SWAT commandos
40:04of the special forces, the special police cell here. And he will be brought to the NIA headquarters
40:10where we are present. And here also, there is multiple level of security. Akshita, there are
40:16additional forces. There are there are CAPFs that have been deployed additionally for this extradition.
40:23There are commandos who are already in place. So the security circle is completely prepared for
40:30his extradition when he comes here. Remember, he's already traveling with the NIA officials. So
40:35formally, the arrest will take place after the procedures, the protocol procedures, proper
40:40medicals will take place. And then he will be formally arrested when he lands in India. He will be taken to
40:46the NIA headquarters. And the security has been upped, not only at the NIA headquarters, but all those
40:52places from where he'll be traveling from the airport to the NIA headquarters.
40:55Okay, so Shivani telling us right now that all possible steps being taken right now to ensure
41:01smooth transit. When Tavu Rana touches down at the Palam airport, he's going to be directly taken
41:06to the NIA office. There's an NIA team traveling with him on board that special aircraft, which left from
41:11Los Angeles last evening, made a stop at an unknown location. Again, for security reasons, they didn't
41:18divulge, which is the stop, which area did they stop in for refueling and rest. But now we're expecting
41:24in a few hours, essentially, that plane will touch down at the Palam airport. Himanshu Mishra is
41:29joining us live from that area. There's a very secure security zone. But Himanshu Mishra has managed to go
41:36in there with, of course, adequate IDs and checks. He's getting us the latest updates. Himanshu,
41:41in the next few days, we'll see here. We'll see that about 2-3 hours, which will be landing in
41:58the plane.
43:28It's going to be important really for agencies now to take this forward with their investigation.
43:33Tahavur Rana has been extradited.
43:35But there's a question about other masterminds for 26-11 attacks.
43:40Let's list those out for you.
43:41Hafiz Saeed, L.E.T. chief, currently lives in Lahore.
43:43Just a few weeks back, we got that news break also of Hafiz Saeed being lodged with high security in a prison in Lahore.
43:50David Headley, 26-11 mastermind.
43:53He's currently under U.S. witness protection.
43:56Remember, he was sentenced to 23 years in jail in America.
44:00Hopefully, in the coming months and years, we will see David Headley also being extradited to India.
44:06That's something we're pushing for hard.
44:08Our government is working on that.
44:10Now, during 26-11, he changed the name last seen in Islamabad.
44:19We don't know now what exactly Lakwi is doing, where he is, what kind of a name he's taken right now.
44:26What is his alias right now?
44:28We don't know.
44:28Major Iqbal, an ISI handler, lives in Pakistan.
44:32Very little known about Major Iqbal.
44:34So, Tahavul Rana's testimony will be crucial to understand who this man is.
44:38There are no pictures even available of what he looks like.
44:41He's an ISI handler, so involved in several terror attacks, committed not just on Indian soil, but abroad as well.
44:47Sajid Mir, L.E.T. commander, also known as Sajid Majid, lives in Pakistan.
44:53Clearly, these terrorists, of course, have a certain clout, protection in Pakistan,
44:58which is why very little is known of where they are based, what kind of protection they are being given.
45:03Abu Khafaba.
45:04Now, he was an explosives expert who helped in essentially arming these terrorists who entered into Mumbai in November 2008.
45:14The other names, L.E.T.'s Kashmir in charge is Mazar Iqbal.
45:19He's also known as Abu Al-Khama.
45:22Now, again, the picture that you see is, of course, ancient.
45:26No details of where he is right now, which is why we don't have that update either.
45:31Muzamil, an L.E.T. commander.
45:33Now, again, no picture, no details of where he is, but a commander of the Lashkar-e-Toiba.
45:38Now, how are these names really coming to the fore?
45:40There are phone conversations that the Indian government dossier mentions.
45:44These conversations of all of these people based in Pakistan who are coordinating life with the terrorists like Ajmul Qasab while they were carrying out the terror attack in Mumbai.
45:55Each of them had a crucial role in the planning of the attack.
45:58Each of them had a crucial role in providing the arms and ammunition.
46:01Each of them had also a big, big role in coordinating the multiple attacks that rocked Mumbai in November 2008.
46:09So, question really on when they too will be extradited because once all of them are brought in is when finally you will see justice for the 165 people who died in those terror attacks in Mumbai.
46:21Getting Tahavul Rana is just the tip of the iceberg.
46:24What about the real masterminds, those living under Pakistan protection, which we have exposed here on India Today repeatedly, the likes of Hafiz Saeed, Zakir Rahman Lakhi, the Pakistan army officers, the ISI officials who were all involved in planning and executing the 26-11 attacks.
46:42Our next report digs deep into where some of these terrorists currently are.
46:47Ankit Kumar getting you this special.
46:5126-11 plotter Tahavul Rana has been extradited to India, but the main masterminds are still at large.
47:04David Coleman Headley, a.k.a. Dawud Gilani, who surveyed 26-11 targets, conducted a GPS intelligence and bore Trekkie before the terror attack.
47:18He was arrested by FBI in 2009 and turned star witness for U.S. prosecution.
47:27Headley is currently under U.S. witness protection program and is likely given a new identity by U.S. officials.
47:35His official public records have been wiped out and his current whereabouts are unknown.
47:44Hafiz Saeed, founder of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Tayaba, that planned and executed the 26-11 Mumbai terror attacks.
47:53Saeed was sentenced by Pakistani court, but lives at Johar town, Lahore, under heavy security.
48:02He survived an explosion in 2021 near his home.
48:07Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakwi, operational commander of L.E.T. during 26-11.
48:17Lakwi trained and coordinated with the attackers as well as Headley.
48:23He recently was seen in a fitness video at Islamabad and has changed his name to Abu Wasi.
48:30Four serving officers of Pakistan's ISI and three ex-officers of the Pakistani army were also part of the 26-11 plot.
48:43Among them were Sajid Meir, Major Iqbal and Major Samir Ali,
48:50who were handlers of David Headley, Tawar Rana and 26-11 attackers.
48:55They remain free in Pakistan.
49:00Tawar Rana is just the tip of the iceberg.
49:04Will India get its hand on the big fish?
49:07With Ankit Kumar in Delhi, Bureau Report, India Today.
49:14Here's a conversation with former NIA Director General Y.C. Modi,
49:19ahead of Tawar Rana's landing in Delhi,
49:21about how crucial this movement is in the entire 26-11 case
49:25and Tawar Rana's role in the terror attacks.
49:28I'm leaving you with this conversation.
49:30We'll be joining you with our non-stop coverage on the other side.
49:34How significant do you think, you know, as Mr. Singh mentioned,
49:38the last big fish we got back was Abu Saleem from Portugal
49:42and after that we're getting Rana.
49:44How do they compare?
49:44I think you should go in the background of formation of NIA.
49:52NIA was established after Mumbai attack.
49:5826-11.
50:00And it was a matter of prestige for us
50:05to get this man to India.
50:08You are in this regard,
50:10in complete coordination with Ministry of External Affairs,
50:14with our political agency as well.
50:18I mean, we could, external affairs,
50:21we could achieve this because of,
50:24we made it a point,
50:25in fact,
50:26in my meetings with my officers,
50:29I used to discuss this case very regularly
50:31and we answered hundreds of queries of US government.
50:36I don't know whether you are aware
50:38because in extradition proceedings,
50:41NIA cannot appear
50:43or government of India cannot appear.
50:45It is the US prosecution authorities,
50:48they appear in the court.
50:49So we had to first convince the US agencies
50:53about evidence,
50:56adequacy of evidence
50:57and quality of evidence
50:58as well as
51:00to convince them
51:04that it is a matter of terrorism
51:08and there are other cases of terrorists
51:10also pending for extradition.
51:13But in this case,
51:15because of coordination at different levels,
51:19we could convince the US authorities
51:20So AP Singh called him a mastermind of the 2611 attacks.
51:24Is he an important field operative
51:25involved in the conspiracy
51:27or would you also consider him a mastermind
51:29as people try and recall what happened to them,
51:31try and focus on Rana's role.
51:34How significant a catch do you think this is,
51:36Mr. Modi?
51:37No, no, it's a very significant catch
51:40and he is one of the two masterminds.
51:43He was the person
51:45who initiated this conspiracy
51:47that this
51:48immigration consultancy office
51:51can be set up
51:52in Mumbai
51:54and in the garb of that consultancy office,
51:59they can make visits
52:00to different places in the country
52:02and target the locations
52:03and provide
52:04that effective information
52:06to their bosses in Pakistan
52:08so that this heinous offense
52:10and this big terrorist crime
52:13could be committed.
52:14So his role is very important.
52:17And another important thing is
52:19Hadley has become a prover
52:21and he has thrown
52:23this man under the bus that way
52:27and now we expect that
52:29he will give,
52:30tell us the truth
52:31when our people will interrogate him.