Mumbai Terror Taj Hotel Attack: Authorities expect 26/11 Mumbai terror attack co-conspirator Tahawwur Rana to land in Mumbai this noon, after the United States approved his extradition to India. Reports indicate that a multi-agency Indian team departed from the US with him on a special flight on Wednesday. Upon arrival, he is likely to be transferred to Delhi and lodged in Tihar Jail. The Indian team went to the United States after the US Supreme Court rejected Tahawwur Rana’s request to stop his extradition to India, which he had filed as an urgent appeal. Will he receive the same facilities — like biryani and a special cell — once enjoyed by Ajmal Kasab, the prime terrorist captured alive during the Mumbai attacks? Kasab was later hanged in a swift and secret execution at Pune’s Yerwada Jail.
‘Chai Wala’ Chhotu, Whose Quick Thinking Saved Lives
Mumbai tea seller Mohammed Taufiq, popularly known as ‘Chhotu’, whose alertness helped save lives during the 26/11 terror attacks, said that India must not offer Tahawwur Rana the kind of special treatment — like a private cell and biryani — that it gave to Ajmal Kasab, one of the terrorists involved in the attacks. He also called for a separate set of laws to deal specifically with terrorists.
Authorities accuse Rana of playing a role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which claimed many innocent lives, and they expect him to face trial in India.
Should Not Provide Biryani To Rana
On 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India, Mohammed Taufiq, a tea seller known as ‘Chhotu Chai Wala’ whose alertness helped a large number of people escape the attack, told ANI, “…For India, there is no need to provide him with a cell. Biryani and facilities like those given to Kasab. The government should create a separate law for terrorists and set up a system that ensures authorities hang them within 2–3 months.”
How Is Tahawwur Rana Related To Mumbai Terror Attack
According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had originally filed a criminal conspiracy case against Tahawwur Rana in Delhi after the deadly 26/11 Mumbai attacks that killed over 160 people. The current extradition process is related to that case. However, officials said they have not yet decided whether they will allow the Mumbai Police to take Rana into custody for any investigation related to the local aspects of the attack.
Will Authorities Hold Him In Tihar Jail?
Officials stated that they have prepared high-security cells at both Tihar Jail in Delhi and Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai. But where will they house the high-risk detainee, Tahawwur Rana? Meanwhile, the NIA secured court approval to transfer his case from Mumbai to Delhi. Once Rana arrives in India and appears before the court, the agency may seek his custody for interrogation. He will stand trial for his alleged involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
