Tahawwur Rana Requests Quran, Pen, and Paper in NIA Custody; Offers Namaz Five Times Daily

Tahawwur Rana Requests Quran, Pen, and Paper in NIA Custody: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) interrogated Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the Mumbai attacks conspirators of 26/11, again for the second day to unearth a greater conspiracy of the series of coordinated attacks that occurred in 2008.

New Delhi's CGO complex NIA premises reportedly said Rana is lodged in a high-security cell under 24-hour guard by security personnel, news agency PTI quoted sources as saying.

A source informed HT that Tahawwur Rana is being treated "like every other arrested person with no special treatment". He was granted his wish for a copy of the Quran and is being watched while he conducts Namaz five times a day in his cell in the agency headquarters.

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“He requested for a copy of Quran which we provided. He is seen offering Namaz five times in his cell,” said an officer, describing Rana as a “religious man".

In addition to the Quran, Rana asked for some pens and paper, which were given to him, but he is under strict observation to ensure that he does not use the pen to inflict self-harm. “Beyond that, he has not made any other demands,” the officer noted.

Rana is allowed to meet every other day with the lawyer assigned by the Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA) pursuant to the directions of the court and to undergo medical examination every 48 hours. “All procedures are being followed, like for other arrested individuals,” confirmed another officer.

He was taken to the NIA headquarters early Friday morning after an 18-day custody order was granted to the probe agency by a Delhi court following his extradition from the United States.

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Tahawwur Rana's grilling continues

• With 16 years elapsed since the terror attacks that rocked the nation, questioning by the NIA is focusing on establishing the precise role of Rana in the conspiracy ashore and in furtherance of attacking Mumbai.
• PTI sources indicate that the interrogation is based upon a series of leads, including dozens of phone calls between him and David Coleman Headley - also known as Daood Gilani — the American national currently serving a prison sentence in the United States for his role in the conspiracy.
• Rana is also being questioned about people whom he met in the run-up to the attacks, namely a key contact in Dubai who, according to officials, probably had advanced knowledge of the plan to attack Mumbai.
• The 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani descent is also being investigated for possible links with ISI, Pakistan's intelligence agency, and Lashkar-e-Taiba, which perpetrated the attacks.
• Investigators hope Rana's replies, in particular concerning travel across northern and southern India just days before the attack, could provide fresh insights into the conspiracy.

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