Disha Tandon, Pune
The city crime branch has filed a 405-page supplementary chargesheet against Tahawwur Rana, Canadian national of Pakistani origin, nearly 15 years after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, for his alleged role in the conspiracy. Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has announced that he will present “incriminating material” against Rana and seek a non-bailable warrant against him.
The charge sheet was submitted on Monday but could not be presented before special trial court Judge R N Rokade on Tuesday due to some complications in the department’s internal operations. The case has been postponed until Wednesday so that the court can take cognizance after receiving a copy of the chargesheet.
Rana’s identity was made public by David Headley, a US citizen who had admitted guilt for his connections to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the purported mastermind of the 2008 terror plot. Headley received a 35-year sentence and immunity from extradition to India as part of a plea agreement from a US district court for Illinois’ Northern District in January 2013. Headley provided details on the operations of the Pakistani terrorist group which is alleged to be behind the Mumbai attacks, leading to charges against Rana and six others.
US agencies apprehended Rana, and India has requested his extradition. Nikam said that Rana committed the alleged crimes on US soil and since India and the US share an extradition treaty, they expect him to soon face trial in India for his role in the heinous terror crime. A court in California, US is currently handling his extradition proceedings, and in August, the US court stayed Rana’s extradition till his appeal was finally heard.
On November 26, 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists attacked Mumbai via the water, killing 166 people while injuring hundreds more. The three-day terror siege claimed the lives of six Americans. They attacked the CSMT, the Taj Mahal Palace, the Trident, and the Chabad House, among other famous buildings in Mumbai. Nine terrorists were killed during the 60-hour operation by the NSG and other security forces, but Ajmal Kasab was caught alive by Mumbai police.
Police charged Kasab and a year later following his trial, a special court sentenced him to death. He was, then, executed on 21st of November, 2012 at Yerwada Prison in Pune.