The Patiala House Court in Delhi granted a significant reprieve to Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The court permitted him a single phone call to his family. This call will be conducted under the supervision of a senior jail official and in accordance with Tihar Jail regulations.
Tahawwur Rana: Tahawwur Hussain Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, received crucial relief from Delhi's Patiala House Court. The court allowed Rana one telephone conversation with his family. This conversation will be monitored by a senior Tihar Jail official and will adhere to jail regulations.
This order comes after Rana's lawyers argued that as a foreign national, he has a fundamental right to contact his family. The court clarified that this permission is a one-time allowance and requested a report from jail authorities regarding the possibility of future phone calls.
Court Seeks Rana's Health Report
The Patiala House Court not only allowed Rana a telephone conversation but also expressed concern about his health and directed the Tihar Jail administration to submit a report on his health status. The court also wants to know if Rana can be permitted regular phone calls to his family under the jail manual.
The NIA (National Investigation Agency) did not oppose this request and agreed to allow it in line with jail regulations. Previously, in April, when Rana filed a petition to speak with his family, the court dismissed it due to the NIA's objection.
Rana Extradited from the US
During a previous hearing, the NIA argued that allowing Tahawwur Rana to communicate with his family could lead to the sharing of sensitive information related to the investigation. This, they claimed, could pose a threat to India's security and the ongoing investigation. However, this time, the court, while understanding the NIA's concerns, decided to grant a one-time permission under supervision.
Tahawwur Rana was recently extradited from the United States. He is a former officer of the Pakistan Army Medical Corps and has long been implicated in the conspiracy behind the Mumbai attacks. The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks of 2008 killed 166 people and injured hundreds, shaking India and the world.
The attacks involved the Pakistani terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Tahawwur Rana is accused of providing logistical support to the conspirators.
Judicial Custody Extended to July 9
Previously, Rana was remanded in judicial custody on May 9th, initially until June 6th. However, following a hearing in the Patiala House Court on Friday, his judicial custody has been extended to July 9th. Tahawwur Rana's case once again highlights the sensitive debate between the human rights of a foreign national and the complexities of national security.
The court, balancing these factors, granted a limited, one-time permission and plans to determine future arrangements after receiving feedback from the jail administration.
