The NIA is set to begin questioning 26/11 plotter Tahawwur Rana at its headquarters under full CCTV surveillance. A 12-member special team, led by DIG Jaya Roy instrumental in his extradition from the US—will conduct the video-recorded interrogation. The agency has secured an 18-day custody for the probe.
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00:00It's the big morning of the interrogation of the high-profile prisoner finally in India, Tahavurus and Rana.
00:05And we have details inside scoop coming in from our sources in the National Investigation Agency
00:09that there will be a full-on video surveillance.
00:13After the extradition from the USA now in the custody of Indian authorities,
00:17there will be interrogation rooms, two cameras installed.
00:20Questioning will most likely be video recorded as well for evidence.
00:23And remember, it is very important that the interrogation that will happen here
00:27is being led by a senior DIG rank officer, Jaya Roy,
00:31who actually was part of the team that also got this man back into India this time to face the law.
00:37The team will receive daily reports led by the DG that will, of course, be supervising this whole operation.
00:44And with CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure high security prevails.
00:48There are arrangements for food and other, of course, significant and essential items for this high-profile prisoner.
00:54Now, that's how fair, remember, India has decided to be, nevertheless, even in this case.
00:59I want to bring in India Today's Managing Editor, Gaurav Sawant, for the latest on that.
01:03Gaurav, from the day of reporting 26-11 in 2008, now to reporting about Tahavurus and Rana's custody.
01:11How big is this day, do you think, for NIA?
01:13How will the NIA be proceeding with it?
01:15Pooja, good morning.
01:18This is a very important milestone in India's quest for justice in the war on Pakistan state-sponsored radical Islamist terror.
01:26As far as Tahavurus and Rana is concerned, he's a very important catch for the NIA and for government of India
01:32in trying to ascertain the truth about those who were involved in this terror plot,
01:38not just across the border in a hostile Pakistan, but even the enemy within the local sleeper cells of Lashkar-e-Taiba,
01:46the overgrown workers or those who may have supported, aided, abetted 26-11 Mumbai terror attacks
01:53and more important, those who may not have been aware, yet provided assistance for future terror attacks in India.
02:02Remember, Tahavurus and Rana travelled to India repeatedly between 2005 and 2008.
02:08Tahavurus and Rana and David Coleman-Hatley travelled to India even after 26-11 to plan future terror attacks.
02:15They met local people, they interacted with local people.
02:18Funds were arranged for them to move around locally.
02:21So who arranged those funds?
02:22Why? What was the Havala network that was used?
02:25Because funds apparently were paid in the United States of America to certain elements
02:30and certain elements in India, then gave funds to David Coleman-Hatley.
02:33They travelled to Kochi.
02:35All of these aspects are very important.
02:36And the room that you were just mentioning, where Tahavurus and Rana is being kept in the NIA headquarters,
02:42it has two CCTV cameras.
02:44All information will be monitored.
02:46Every interrogation will be monitored and duly recorded.
02:50Sadanan Dhatay, the officer who heads the National Investigation Agency,
02:55was the additional commissioner of crime branch in Mumbai police, additional commissioner of Mumbai police during 26-11 Mumbai terror attacks.
03:02He was fighting these Pakistani terrorists at the Kama hospital.
03:06So that is the level of his involvement in that entire one terror attack, anti-terror attack operations and subsequent investigations that were carried out.
03:16So they know a lot about 26-11 and Pakistan's role.
03:19But there are many gaps that Tahavurus and Rana's interrogation will help fill.
03:24A larger plot intending to now be uncovered, not just about the attack that happened.
03:29Gaurav, I request you to stay on.
03:30I want to take a question from Amit Bhardwaji.
03:32He's right outside the NIA headquarters in Delhi, where all of this is currently shaping up.
03:38Interrogation is on.
03:39Amit, good morning.
03:39It's been a long evening for all our colleagues.
03:41Remember, from morning to evening, they've been tracking the latest coming in from on the ground and updates.
03:46Amit, tell me now, this morning, what is the NIA headquarters looking like?
03:50Fully fortified, I'm sure.
03:51High security around you.
03:52All right, Pooja, you know, the NIA office is located right near the Jalen metro station
04:03and the entire stretch has been shortly barricaded.
04:06Only the individuals who work in the CGO complex or the offices around have been allowed access to these roads.
04:14Now, that is also necessary to ensure that this building of the National Investigation Agency needs to be secured
04:20and kept as a topmost priority as far as any institution or building in the country or in the national capital today is concerned.
04:29Why?
04:29The Havur Hussain Rana has been brought back to India and on Indian soil by the Indian Investigative Agency, NIA.
04:37He will be questioned today.
04:39And what we are given to understand through our sources is that around 11 in the morning,
04:44there would be a high-level meeting within the NIA where the officers will be meeting the top officials of the NIA
04:51to draw out a strategy on the questioning of the Havur Hussain Rana.
04:56Moreover, what we are given to understand is that nearly 12 officers,
05:01only group of 12 NIA officers will get access to the Havur Hussain Rana.
05:07What we are also given to understand, so if you look at the building structure, this NIA building,
05:13the ground floor is where Taha Bur Hussain Rana is kept in a highly secure cell right now.
05:21And there are two CCTV cameras which have been installed in this particular cell.
05:26The food and other necessities of Taha Bur Hussain Rana will be given to him inside this particular cell itself,
05:33which means that he will not step out of the cell until, thought otherwise,
05:3912 officers to get access to him, 18 days for the NIA to probe him, to question him, to, you know,
05:46And this is where all the senior officers are going to come up in just a short while at about 11 a.m.
05:51The senior officials' meetings is going to begin, as much, of course, the questioning that also is set to begin.
05:57Gaurav, I come to you on this.
05:58NIA is fully prepared.
06:00They have had the timeline, they have had a dossier which in itself is self-explanatory.
06:07But, of course, what then do you think now becomes the role of those 12 officer team?
06:13And how does the supervision take place?
06:15Because there must be senior officers who would daily receive reports of what was said.
06:19What is it that we are getting from his answers and at all if he is cooperating or not?
06:23So, initially when he was being brought to India, he fought his extradition tooth and nail in the U.S. courts from 2003 to 2005 to 2023 to 2025.
06:36When he was finally extradited to India, in every court of law, this man who actually celebrated, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation probe, he celebrated 26-11 Mumbai terror attacks and wanted Pakistan's highest military award to be given to those 10 Pakistani terrorists.
06:52That is how he enjoyed seeing the carnage and 166 people from 25 countries being massacred.
06:5925 people were foreigners, 6 Americans, 4 Jewish people, 3 British, 2 people from Germany, Japan, France, Singapore, Thailand, Jordan.
07:12These were the foreigners, you know, who were killed in all of those 166 and this man was rejoicing.
07:17So, this is a case for justice for all those 166 from so many countries who were massacred by these Pakistani terrorists.
07:24So, an illiterate Ajwal Amir Kassab and a highly educated doctor, Tahabar Hussain Rana, Pakistan Amir doctor.
07:31They were all 50 sheds of Hafiz Mohamed Saeed working on instructions of Hafiz Mohamed Saeed.
07:36So, they want to know how did those instructions from Hafiz Mohamed Saeed and a certain major Iqbal and others from Pakistan's ISI get sent to Tahabar Hussain Rana, then to David Coleman Hedley and to these Pakistani terrorists.
07:49Who were the Pakistan army and navy officers who trained them?
07:54They underwent navy training at Hattain, Sindh.
07:57A lot of investigation was carried out by FIA, Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency.
08:01But, why did they want to attack Pushkar? Who were their sleeper cells in Pushkar? Who were their sleeper cells in Hapur?
08:07Hapur is a very sensitive location. Who did he meet in Agra? Who did he meet in Kochi?
08:12These are many questions of a future terror attack that NIA wants answers to.
08:16And somebody like Sadanand Date when he meets the team who's been fighting that war against Pakistan's state-sponsored terror since 26-11, 2008,
08:24he's faced those bullets, he's seen his brothers in arms die, he's seen innocent Mumbaikers die and not just in 26-11.
08:32May I for a moment also take you back to 2006, 200 people had been massacred in 2006 in the train serial blast, 257 people had been killed in 1993 Mumbai blast.
08:43Mumbai has repeatedly been targeted and because India wasn't responding, even after 26-11 they struck Mumbai again.
08:49You recall Zaveri Bazaar and three other attacks had taken place in Mumbai.
08:54So, all of that, they want to know who are the sleeper cells helping Pakistanis living in India, working in India and yet helping Pakistan.
09:02All of that, they want to unravel.
09:04So important, Gaurav, because sometimes public can have short memory.
09:07It's important to remind them how deliberate attempts were made to cripple the Mumbai city, the cosmopolitan business hub financial city.
09:16And yet, at least it's taken 17 years, but nevertheless, at least Taha Wurrana is here.
09:20I request both of you, my friends, to please stay on with me.
09:23I have big news coming in with regard to how fortified and high security the prison cell is of Taha Wurrana.
09:30Let's take a look at that big news coming in.
09:37CCTV surveillance in and out to ensure everything is being recorded, tracked.
09:47Surveillance is on.
09:4924-7, this cell is going to be guarded by the senior most top NI officials, a team that has been deployed and designated.
09:57He's been kept in a 14 by 14 cell at the NI headquarters from where our colleagues are reporting from.
10:03There is a bed.
10:05There is an adjacent washroom as well.
10:07That there shouldn't be any need for this man to want a reason to step out of his cell.
10:12There will be a multi-layered security.
10:1524-hour guards have been deployed as well.
10:17And he will be offered his share of food and items as well because we also want to ensure that Taha Wurrana answers, explains elaborately without making any other excuse right now.
10:31Gaurav Sawant and Amit Bhardwaj continue to be with us.
10:34Gaurav, I'll take that question first to you because I understand that he's an important high security prisoner.
10:40But I also appreciate India in so many ways that they're ensuring that our full fair trial protocol is being followed because this man shouldn't have another excuse to not cooperate now with the investigation and interrogation.
10:53The world is watching India and the United States have a very important extradition treaty and that extradition treaty has certain conditions.
11:02And that conditions the extradition treaty mandate that he be given a fair trial, he be given a hearing, he's looked after, you know, and there are no fresh charges against him.
11:14He's not extradited to a third country in case there are fresh charges against him.
11:18The United States is kept in the loop.
11:19So there are several preconditions which have to be fulfilled.
11:24And remember, he's just one terrorist who's been extradited from the United States of America.
11:28There are other terrorists who are in different parts of the world.
11:31India wants them extradited.
11:32India wants them sent to India.
11:33That's why India has to ensure all global commitments are met.
11:37And India does meet all international commitments.
11:39You know, the rogue country is Pakistan that remains a state sponsor of radical Islamist terror.
11:44So that is where India wants global attention to be focused.
11:48Because as far as terrorists within or the enemy within is concerned, they will take care of it.
11:54You know, the security forces, whether it's in Mumbai.
11:56Remember, a German bakery was struck in Pune.
11:59That was a terror attack.
12:01Even after 26-11, there have been multiple terror attacks in India.
12:05You'd remember there was a terror attack in Kurdaspur.
12:07There was a terror attack in Samba, Kadwa, Udampur, Bulwama, Pathanport.
12:12It was only after Bulwama in 2019 when Balakot airstrikes happened
12:16that Pakistan realized that terror is no longer a low-cost option for them.
12:20And post Balakot, we haven't had a single 26-11 kind terror attack in the rest of the country.
12:25No Kurdaspur, no attack anywhere beyond Jammu and Kashmir.
12:29Now the aim is there should be no terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir either
12:33and none across the country.
12:35So that in case there's a terror attack,
12:37the state sponsor of radical Islamist terror pays a very heavy cost.
12:40And India's effort is to build a cast iron case against Pakistan
12:43so that Pakistan is once again back in the Financial Action Task Force's grey list.
12:48That's the only language Pakistan understands.
12:50And entities in Pakistan, whether it's Hafiz Mohamed Said
12:52or elements in Pakistan army who may include General Ashwaq Parvez Gayani,
12:57the former DGISI and former army chief.
13:00He is someone who knew of the 26-11 Mumbai terror attacks plot.
13:03But directly, was he involved?
13:05Where is he?
13:06What action will be taken against such elements?
13:08That is what India's focus is.
13:10State actors in Pakistan should be punished.
13:13Remember, India also ensuring that there will be a defence council,
13:16that this will be a fair trial.
13:18Amit, I come to you now.
13:20As we look at these images on our screens right now,
13:23of people crying, innocents who were left orphaned,
13:27families destroyed on 26-11.
13:29And now at NI headquarters where you are standing right now,
13:33one of the big masterminds is here.
13:35Tell us about how fortified, high secured that zone is,
13:39primarily for a reason, if the viewer is wondering.
13:42Because remember, there will be elements who will not want Tahavur Rana
13:46to reveal what he is set to do.
13:48All right, Pooja, I will also request my VJ Manish to, you know, pan the camera
13:57and to show as to how the entire stretch where this NIA office is located
14:03has been secured by the agencies.
14:05And multiple agencies are on task right now.
14:08So, this is a very important lane which, as far as the government offices are concerned,
14:13and that is why you will see several layers of barricading which leads to this particular stretch
14:17on which the JLN Stadium's, Metro Stadium, Metro's gate is also located.
14:24But access to that Metro Station gate is only to those who work in the nearby government offices.
14:30Now, right in front of you is the NIA's headquarters in the National Capital.
14:34Obviously, nobody can enter that building without having authorized ID cards
14:40like this gentleman who just entered the complex would be an employee out there.
14:46And the CAPF has also secured the area.
14:49On the other side as well, from where the movement of the cars are happening,
14:53the senior officials, you know, when you look at the SHO level officers or inspector level officers,
15:01they are personally standing on the barricades and checking every individual,
15:06every car that's coming this way.
15:08Their ID cards are being duly checked to ensure only those who have appropriate access
15:14to the buildings, government offices nearby are able to access this particular road.
15:19That itself gives a telling story as to how the preparations have been made and why not.
15:25The reason being that India has waited 17 years for this man to reach the Indian soil
15:31so that the Indian investigative agencies can probe him, can question him about
15:38as to how he arranged that logistical support for David Hedley,
15:42who were the people behind him, who funded these missions from Pakistan,
15:48whether they were individuals from the ISI, the other agencies of the Pakistan
15:52who were working in tandem with him.
15:55And, you know, even bigger question as to whether there were sleeper cells within India,
16:01individuals within India.
16:03That will be important.
16:04Stay on with me, Amit.
16:05We have big news coming in.
16:07It's the NIA-DIG rank officer, Jaya Roy, will be leading this investigation.
16:12And remember, she's been a senior officer.
16:14Jaya Roy also is the one who led the team that brought Tahavar Rana from the United States of America
16:21and had him land on the Indian soil.
16:24And now his priority will be to find out the handlers in Pakistan.
16:27Yes, Tahavar Rana was the mastermind, but eventually he was the one coordinating
16:30with Lashkar-e-Taiba and with the terror groups for the ISI based in Pakistan.
16:34So those handlers, that relationship will also be explored.
16:39The funding will have to be explored.
16:41Sleeper cells, business partners here will be important.
16:45Because eventually, who provided support and help to David Coleman-Hedley,
16:50to Tahavar Rana for the Kalawa threads to be bought from Siddhavanai Temple,
16:54for the fake documents with Hindu identities that were prepared.
16:58Gaurav Sawant and Amit Bhardwaj continue to be with us.
17:01Also to probe why Sajid Mir came to India, supposedly to watch cricket.
17:05Gaurav, I want to help understand from you here,
17:08a senior rank officer will be supervising all of this,
17:11but eventually it will be about the finances, the handling, the business partners,
17:16all of this, so a fairly large plot while we have the extradition treaty conditions also
17:21to ensure to keep in mind.
17:25You're absolutely right.
17:26The big aim is to ensure that bond, you know,
17:30you have to drain that swamp, you have to drain out that water
17:33that enables these terrorists to operate like fish in our country.
17:37You know, it's a very, very tricky case.
17:40How is it that an individual of Pakistani origin,
17:43yes, Tahavar Hussain Rana had a Canadian passport,
17:46but it was well known within the establishment that he was of Pakistani origin
17:50and an ex-Pakistan army captain, though he was a deserter,
17:54he served in the Siachan Glacier.
17:56Why didn't red flags go up in Chicago when he was given a multiple entry visa?
18:00Why didn't red flags go up when a Daud Gilani or a David Coleman Hedley
18:04were given multiple entry visa, business visas to come to India?
18:08How was he able to travel from Pakistan to India?
18:12You know, these are red flags that should have gone up.
18:15Unfortunately, between 2005 and 2008, they did not go up.
18:18Now it remains to be seen whether the establishment protects its own,
18:22you know, whether it's the IPS lobby, the IFS lobby, the political leaders,
18:26or they go after elements who either aided and abetted or looked the other way.
18:31And for what reason, for acts of commission and commission,
18:34how they were given visas to get into India?
18:35How were they able to establish business in India?
18:38How they were able to move around so openly?
18:40And the question, you know, the bogey of Hindu terror that was created around that time,
18:45I've covered some Jhotha blasts.
18:47I've covered how it was said that there was a Lashkar-e-Thaiwad terrorist called R.F. Kasmani
18:51who was involved in it.
18:52Haryana police investigated that case and suddenly,
18:55suddenly there was a U-turn and they said that it's Hindu terror.
18:58Similarly, yesterday we interviewed Mr. P.K. Jain,
19:00who had personally investigated the Malegao blast,
19:03what arrested people for that.
19:06But those who were involved in the Malegao blast,
19:08they were let off.
19:09And it was blamed on that so-called bogey of Hindu terror.
19:12And 26-11, very, very conveniently,
19:1510 Pakistani terrorists, all 10,
19:17have kalawa on their hands
19:19and all 10 have been given Hindu names and fake identity cards.
19:22Because once they're killed,
19:24as Rakesh Maria writes in his book,
19:25and we'd interviewed him,
19:27we'd spoken to him many times
19:28after 26-11 Mumbai terror attacks
19:31when the investigations were on.
19:33He's the first man who had interrogated Ajmal Amir Kassab.
19:36And he said,
19:37had Kassab not been caught alive,
19:40they would have branded 26-11 as Hindu terror.
19:42So imagine,
19:43not only was Pakistan getting away with terror,
19:45not only was Pakistan getting away scot-free,
19:48Lashkar-e-Taiba,
19:49training these terrorists in Thakta, Sindh,
19:51all evidence available,
19:52but it would have been branded as Hindu terror.
19:54Thank God for Dukaram Ombile,
19:56that he made the supreme sacrifice all his life
19:58and caught Ajmal Amir Kassab.
20:00Or, oh my God,
20:01this would have been branded as Hindu terror.
20:03And we would have had another bogey
20:04and Pakistan and Pakistan state
20:06would have led India even more.
20:09And that is a point that
20:10Chief Minister Narendra Modi also raised
20:12when Tahambhar Hussain Rana
20:13was exonerated
20:16and let off from the US court
20:17in 26-11 case,
20:19though convicted in the Copenhagen case.
20:21He said,
20:21what kind of effort did India put in
20:23in 2011?
20:25How could he get off?
20:26The moment he became Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
20:28the effort started once again
20:29and post-2019,
20:31from what sources are telling India today,
20:33India relentlessly pursued this case
20:35because he's a big catch.
20:37He had David Coleman-Hitley.
20:38David Coleman-Hitley, of course,
20:39turned approver
20:40and he's a double agent.
20:42But at least he's been interrogated.
20:44I saw his interrogation
20:45and those reports,
20:48both by NIA and by FBI,
20:50both in Chicago and in India.
20:52So a lot of information
20:53has come out from him.
20:53But there are many gaps
20:54that this Tahabhar Hussain Rana
20:56can help fill
20:56because instructions from Pakistan
20:59would go to Chicago
21:00to Tahabhar Hussain Rana
21:01and he would pass them
21:03to David Coleman-Hitley.
21:04So there are many things
21:05that he can shed light on.
21:07And when you go through
21:08those FBI documents,
21:09there is a lot of information.
21:11Some of it redacted.
21:12Some of them,
21:13when they said,
21:13you know,
21:14person of interest
21:15A, B, C and D.
21:16Now we want to know
21:17who are those persons
21:18A, B, C and D in Pakistan
21:20who are helping them.
21:21And to imagine
21:22all of this effort
21:23and planning
21:24by these radicalized terrorists
21:26led by Pakistan
21:27for what?
21:28To kill innocent Indians,
21:30innocent foreigners,
21:32women, men and children
21:33and destroy families forever.
21:35So to remember
21:36the extent
21:37and the effort put in
21:38to massacre innocent people
21:39on 26-11.
21:40Sadly, unfortunately,
21:42which they successfully
21:43managed to do.
21:44Stay on with me,
21:45Gaurav and Amit, please.
21:46Because as the questioning
21:48is set to begin
21:48and we'll go to the
21:49NIA headquarters over this,
21:51two cameras have been installed
21:52for Tahabhar Hussain Rana's
21:54interrogation cell.
21:56So it will be
21:56consistently supervised.
21:58There will be
21:58a 24-7 surveillance.
22:00It will be
22:01all of it
22:01ensuring
22:02that his security
22:04is taken in
22:05consideration
22:05for.
22:07Interrogation will also
22:08be likely
22:08videotaped.
22:09It will be on camera.
22:11This is as part of
22:12conditions,
22:12as part of a fair trial
22:13and to ensure
22:14there is video evidence too.
22:16Tahabhar Hussain Rana
22:17has been kept
22:18in a lock-up
22:19at the NIA headquarters.
22:20There is an interrogation cell
22:22in the same building
22:23as well.
22:24His lock-up in itself
22:25has two CCTV cameras
22:26in Seoul
22:27monitored consistently,
22:29continuously
22:30by the security teams
22:31that have been deployed.
22:32And remember
22:33because
22:33this is also
22:35the authorities
22:36ensuring that
22:37he doesn't really
22:37have a reason
22:38to go out.
22:38There is a bed
22:39and a bathroom
22:40right there
22:41in the lock-up as well.
22:42He will be
22:43regularly provided
22:44with food and
22:45facilities
22:45in the same lock-up.
22:47To also remember
22:47he's not an ordinary
22:48criminal.
22:49It's a part of
22:50extradition treaty
22:50from the USA
22:51that he's been
22:52brought in.
22:52So there are
22:53some definite
22:54conditions that are
22:55put in place as well.
22:56Team of 12 officers
22:57of the National
22:58Investigation Agency
22:59are the only ones
23:00who will have
23:01direct access to
23:02Rana
23:02and that will
23:03only be
23:03during the
23:04interrogation.
23:05The report
23:06gets sent
23:06to the senior
23:07officials daily
23:09for what has
23:10he said,
23:10what can be put
23:11together,
23:12what has been
23:12corroborated.
23:13Interrogation team
23:14is being led
23:15by a senior
23:16DIG rank officer
23:17Jaya Roy,
23:18an experienced
23:18officer,
23:19Jharkhan Kader
23:20and has led
23:21the team
23:21consistently
23:22from the USA
23:24and now will be
23:25supervising here
23:26for the Indian
23:27authorities too.
23:28Amit Bhardwaj
23:29is at the
23:29NIA headquarters.
23:30Amit,
23:31I come to you
23:31now.
23:32So there are
23:32going to be,
23:32it looks like,
23:33multiple huddles
23:34and meetings
23:34at the NIA
23:36headquarters.
23:36There will be
23:37an interrogation,
23:38there will be
23:38a supervising
23:39meeting of the
23:40senior officers,
23:41back and forth
23:42interactions.
23:42Tell us more.
23:48Pooja,
23:48you know,
23:49the strategy
23:49will be drawn
23:50out today
23:51in the first
23:51half itself.
23:52In the NIA
23:53building which is
23:54right behind me,
23:55around 11am
23:57what we are
23:57given to
23:57understand that
23:58the NIA
23:59officials will
24:00be meeting
24:00the high-ranking
24:01official of
24:02the National
24:03Investigative
24:03Agency and
24:05during that
24:06particular meeting
24:06the entire
24:08roadmap for the
24:09interrogation will
24:09be also drawn
24:10out because
24:11there are
24:11several documents
24:12that needs to
24:12be, you know,
24:14that Tahavur Rana
24:14needs to be
24:15confronted with,
24:16questions that
24:16needs to be
24:17drawn out.
24:18What we are
24:19given to understand
24:19that nearly
24:20three angles
24:22will be explored
24:23in the questioning
24:24that needs to be
24:24done in the
24:25first round of
24:26the probing
24:27with Tahavur Rana
24:28including, you
24:29know, when did
24:30he come to
24:30India, what
24:32were the dates
24:32that he was
24:33travelling within
24:34India, what
24:35was the motive
24:35that he was
24:36travelling in
24:36India, his
24:37connection with
24:38the Laskar
24:38Etaiba, did
24:39he know
24:40Hafiz Saeed
24:41because, you
24:41know, these
24:42are like
24:43standard
24:43interrogation as
24:45well.
24:45First, you
24:46begin with the
24:46primary questions
24:48and then find
24:49loopholes in
24:49that questioning
24:50to further, you
24:51know, tighten
24:52your grip on
24:53the accused.
24:54But remember,
24:55in this case,
24:56the accused is
24:57a monstrous
24:58talented person
24:59who, sitting
25:01in Chicago,
25:02meticulously planned
25:03and provided
25:04logistical support
25:05to David
25:06Headley, who
25:07also set up
25:08this entire
25:09plan to use
25:11his first world
25:12immigration office
25:13as a cover for
25:14David Headley to
25:15travel in India,
25:17to meticulously
25:18also planning,
25:19you know, to
25:20open up our
25:20office in Mumbai
25:21as well, and
25:23to reiki the
25:25different locations
25:26in the national,
25:27in India, including
25:28the defense
25:30establishments, so
25:31these are, you
25:33know, details that
25:34we already know
25:35through the
25:35And he almost got
25:37away, with all
25:38that planning, he
25:39almost got away
25:40till eventually,
25:41remember, our
25:42legal teams, our
25:43legal representatives,
25:44political will, a
25:45combined effort, all
25:46that preparation, managed
25:48to ensure that even
25:50USA is convinced that
25:51he needs to be
25:52extradited and face
25:53the law here in
25:54India.
25:54I request both of
25:55you to please stay
25:56on with me because
25:57whether you call him
25:58a co-conspirator,
26:00because he's facing
26:00criminal conspiracy
26:01charges, whether you
26:02call him a radicalized
26:03terrorist, the fact is
26:04this man is as much
26:05responsible for having
26:08organized the murder,
26:09killing of 166
26:11innocent people.
26:12Imagine the
26:13families, the number
26:14of families destroyed
26:16forever because they
26:17were simply out and
26:18about on the streets
26:19and this man organized
26:20it for weeks,
26:21possibly months and
26:22years.
26:23Now in 18-day NIA
26:25custody of Indian
26:25authorities after his
26:26extradition.
26:27The questioning will
26:28begin in just a short
26:29while.
26:30Officers are prepared
26:30of the NIA, a 12
26:32officer team being led
26:33by DIG rank officer.
26:34Jaya Roy and we
26:36are told that NIA
26:37has told the court
26:38that David Coleman
26:39Headley had discussed
26:40the entire plot with
26:42Rana before coming to
26:43India and he had
26:45emailed, there were
26:46phone conversations,
26:47role of Pakistani
26:48nationals like Ilyas
26:49Kashmir and Abdul Rahman
26:50will also be
26:50investigated.
26:52He's landed last
26:53evening and ever since,
26:55remember, NIA realizing
26:56also the big
26:57responsibility on their
26:59shoulders.
26:59because there will be a
27:00fair trial and we hope
27:01that this man on your
27:02screen will be punished
27:04very, very soon.
27:07NIA wanted 20 days of
27:09police custody to
27:10investigate the matters
27:11further and the court
27:13has granted 18 days of
27:15police custody and the
27:17court has directed that
27:18any medical requirements
27:20on his behalf would be
27:21taken care of and
27:22comprehensive medical
27:24tests would be done when
27:25he's taken into custody
27:26and before he's brought
27:28back into court.
27:29This is the first time
27:30that he's been brought
27:31before court after he
27:32was extradited from the
27:33United States.
27:34Did Tahavurana have
27:35anything to say to
27:36court today?
27:38As I said earlier, he
27:40made a request that any
27:42counsel who is
27:44representing him, be it
27:45DLSA or somebody else,
27:48there should be no
27:48public outrage because at
27:51the end of the day, we
27:51from DLSA are basically
27:54doing our jobs and
27:55under the requisite laws.
27:58So that was one of the
27:59requests that he had
28:00made.
28:00This is a law of justice.
28:01This is a law of justice.
28:03The law of justice is going to be taken.
28:05Because we have a lot of this law is usually in 2008.
28:09We have to come in and leave it.
28:11We have to leave it.
28:13But we will leave it.
28:14We will leave it.
28:16But I think the law of justice has a contribution to it.
28:21That in the 26th century, those who were the ones who were,
28:26on April 9th, the United States extradited Tawarur Hussain Rana to India to face justice
28:45for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Some of you may,
28:52some people watching may not remember these, but I encourage you to look them up and to find out
28:58exactly how horrible this was and the importance of this situation today. These attacks resulted in
29:05the tragic loss of 166 lives, including six Americans that shocked the entire world. The
29:12United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks
29:17are brought to justice. And as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue
29:23to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism. Very big statement that has come in
29:30from the United States of America that India and the USA will together fight global terror. And this
29:37is one such example that also reflects, remember, India's position in the world that it's being able
29:41to convince now, unlike perhaps at some point earlier, where USA was being more friendly to
29:47Pakistan, but now USA realizing that perhaps India could be a better ally to fight terror.
29:52Gaurav Savant joins me on this. Gaurav, you've been speaking to the survivors of 2611.
29:58What is the sentiment they feel right now when they see Tawarur Hanna, at least one Tawarur Hanna
30:03in India facing the law?
30:08Oh, several of them want him hanged. They want him hanged post-haste, but they are convinced that
30:13there has to be due process of law. Several we spoke to said, at least don't feed him biryani in
30:19prison out of Indian taxpayers' money. Because for very long, very long, you come from Jammu and
30:25Kashmir and you will understand that pain and agony when a Pakistani terrorist like Masgul is fed
30:30biryani after the Charare Sharif siege or during the Charare Sharif siege, even if it's meant for
30:36devotees and it's had by terrorists, those are instances when he's given a safe passage to the
30:43line of control on instructions of the state. It just goes on to show that India was a weak-kneed
30:51state. The response to Pakistan state-sponsored radical Islamist terror initially was so weak-kneed
30:56that it was actually surprising that Pakistan's, you know, wet dream of this Ghazwai Hind of reaching
31:04Delhi by dinner wasn't realized. And that's only because of that firm response of the armed forces
31:10who said nothing doing. Now, when the Narendra Modi government took over, initially he too invited
31:16Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for a swearing-in, dropped an unannounced due to Lahore in an effort to
31:23increase friendship. And that was a genuine effort to increase friendship with the state sponsor of
31:28radical Islamist terror who he thought perhaps could reform or at least the world should know that he tried.
31:33But when Pathan court happened, ISI was invited and Pakistan did nothing. That realization was clear.
31:39As External Affairs Minister Dr. S.J. Shankar put it, that terror and bigotry or words to that effect are in the
31:45DNA of Pakistan. Pakistan's DNA will not change. It hasn't changed from 1947. It hasn't changed till date.
31:51And it is unlikely to change in future. You know, it's just, I sincerely hope that Indians at large
31:57realize Pakistan's DNA. So, you know, when we invite them to Bollywood, those Bollywoodias,
32:03you know, when the Pakistanis are invited to Mumbai to sing and dance or the cricketers are invited,
32:08they come and make money in India and then abuse India when they go back to Pakistan.
32:12That's unacceptable. Perhaps the Narendra Modi government with that Palakot airstrikes was able
32:17to send that message. And now with extradition of Tahavur Hussain Rana, that message goes out once
32:22again. Terror, terrorists and state sponsors of terror will be punished. It may take time,
32:27but it will happen. And very important message that goes out, Pooja, you'd remember and you'd recall,
32:34a terrorist, if you bleed India, wherever you are, you could be in the United States of America,
32:40you could be in Pakistan, you could be in Canada, government of India, or at least as long as
32:45Narendra Modi government is there, they will make an effort to ensure you are brought to justice.
32:49That's the message.
32:49How much will they succeed? It remains to be seen. But with Tahavur Hussain Rana,
32:53some success has been made. Now it remains to be seen what action is taken against the likes of
32:57Hafiz Saeed.
32:58That's a clear message. I think that's a big message that's gone out, convincing the USA as much legally
33:03and otherwise. And just think of right now, the team of officers or representatives we may never know
33:09about. These are the unknown heroes who have worked consistently over the years to ensure that this
33:14man is brought from the USA into India. And that takes a lot of effort, including whether it's legal
33:20paperwork or political will. Amit Bhardwaj continues to be at the NIA headquarters. Amit, so in a short
33:26while, that questioning will begin, huddles will begin. We, of course, because of security protocol,
33:31have the image from the back of Tahavur Hussain Rana. But we know that inside the NIA headquarters,
33:35all of it is being videotaped.
33:42Right, Pooja. You know, he has been successfully transported. Last night, you know, we had put out
33:49every detail of his extradition as to how he landed on the Indian soil. From there, they secured
33:55transportation to the Patiala House Court and eventually at the NIA headquarters in the national
34:01capital. What is happening is that he has been kept in a highly secured cell in the NIA headquarters
34:07in the national capital. And as you have also mentioned, every facility has been provided to
34:12Tahavur Hussain Rana as per law inside that cell itself so that he does not have an excuse or request
34:20to step out of that particular highly secured cell. Two CCTV cameras have been put in to have a constant
34:27monitoring on Tahavur Hussain Rana. At 11, the senior officials of the NIA will be holding a
34:33high-level meeting to strategize on the questioning part. We know, for a matter of fact, his role in
34:39the Mumbai attacks will be, you know, questioned, probed, and he will be also confronted with certain
34:46documents and details as well. Where all he moved, what was the, how did he manage to do that
34:53medical is planning? These are the likely questions that will be, you know, put on
34:58Tahavur Hussain Rana. Also, whether his connection with Laskore Taiba, whether he was in connection with
35:05Hafiz Saeed, was he also in touch with Pakistan? Yes, because eventually, like you're mentioning,
35:11Amit, it isn't about Tahavur Hussain Rana as much, it's as much about the terror groups he
35:15was in touch with, who was basically the one financing and providing all the support. I want
35:20to thank you, Gaurav Sawant, Amit Bhardwaj. I'll keep coming back to you in a short while,
35:24as in when the questioning begins. What a moment this has been. As we look at the NIA headquarters
35:29today, I want to take you to the image that came in yesterday evening. Pakistani-born Canadian
35:35businessman, so to say, Tahavur Hussain Rana has been wanted by India. The first visual of him,
35:41now 64 years old, facing away from the camera, which is, of course, a security protocol reason,
35:47white hair, a beard, dressed in brown overall, now being held by the NIA officials who got him,
35:52forced him, dragged him back to India. The time previously he was here, he was orchestrating
35:58a massacre of our innocent people. India ensuring that now he's back in India to face the law.
36:04Big diplomatic win for India, after nearly 17 years. 2611 plotter, designated terrorist,
36:22Tahavur Rana has finally been brought to India. Draped in brown prison overalls, his long grey beard,
36:30unkempt and face grim, Tahavur Hussain Rana finally landed in India late evening on Thursday.
36:38Escorted under tight security by NIA officials, Rana was flown in from the U.S., making a stopover
36:45in Bucharest, in Romania.
36:53Rana's plane landed in Delhi at around 6.22 pm on April 10th. He got out of the plane at around 6.30 pm.
37:01After coming out, he was arrested by the NIA under UAPA at 6.40 pm.
37:08A medical check-up was done inside the airbase.
37:11The NIA will interrogate Rana to uncover deeper insights into the cross-border conspiracy
37:20and Pakistan's involvement in the 2611 attacks.
37:25Rana's extradition was made possible after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his plea against extradition.
37:32The U.S. Department of Justice acknowledged Rana's extradition, calling it a critical step
37:40towards seeking justice for six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in heinous attacks.
37:47The Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed a public prosecutor to lead the trial.
37:54The Havur's Rana's extradition brings hope of justice and closure for the victims
37:58of one of the worst terror attacks the world has seen.
38:03Bureau Report, India Today.
38:05Political showdown has broken out here in India with the Havur Rana's extradition, arrest
38:16and the trial that is set to begin.
38:19It's BJP, the ruling party versus the opposition, war of words over 2611, plotter and co-conspirator.
38:25The Vakya Janata Party has said,
38:27Congress did nothing against terror or to stop terror and the attacks in India.
38:32But U.B.D. says Rana will become a festival before Bihar elections.
38:38That Bihar elections are scheduled this year and therefore, in many ways, he will now.
38:42The Havur Rana will be used as a festival before the elections.
38:46And why is the Modi government taking credit for this arrest and extradition?
38:50is what U.B.D. Sena's mouthpiece editorial has said in Samana.
38:55Congress leader, former CM of Maharashtra also had a comment to make.
38:59Let's listen in to what our leaders, our politicians, say.
39:03Let's listen in the minutes.
39:22foreign
39:52foreign
40:06foreign
40:20When the war started, the U.P. government didn't have any information.
40:27Then, after the first-year-old American president of the United States,
40:34if you have the courage, bring it to Kindro Modi.
40:39If we look at history, you have left many of us.
40:45All of these things are not happening.
40:48And this is the thing that is related to the government, and don't do it in this way, don't do it.
41:18But though the BJP leaders are saying that the Modi government is very much now getting the terrorists back here in the country who were involved in terrorist attacks, on the other side, BJP is also saying that during the Congress tenure, terrorist attacks used to happen, but we are ensuring that terrorists are caught and brought to justice.
41:40On the other side, the opposition political parties, including Samadhi Party, UBT, there are some leaders from Congress also who have raised the questions on government's intentions.
41:50In fact, they are also saying that the BJP government is trying to make it a celebration, a festival of Rana's extradition, and this festival will continue till Bihar elections.
42:03So we are now seeing as to how the political showdown has also started.
42:06Cracking the latest, a political showdown has erupted in India among the parties and politicians.
42:13I have more news coming in.
42:14All right.
42:15The first images of Tahavud Rana's handover to the NIA by the United States of America.
42:22That's the first visual on your screen.
42:24The first time USA, when it handed over, the authorities, that Tahavud Rana was handed over by American authorities to the National Investigation Agency and to Indian authorities.
42:34Remember that this was, that is the moment when officially it was announced that no more is he with and in the prisons in the USA.
42:44That's the image on your screen.
42:45U.S. Marshals.
42:46This is the Central District of California.
42:48When they transferred the custody of Tahavud Rana, a Pakistani origin, Canadian citizen, had been in the custody in the United States of America.
42:57But after a full-on legal work that was done, political will, diplomacy, all of that was put to work.
43:05And now to representatives of India's Ministry of External Affairs and eventually, of course, the NIA authorities.
43:11So, that's the first visual on your screen.
43:14Remember, security protocols being followed.
43:16That's the reason you see the image like that on your screen.
43:18You can see U.S. Marshals on one side, Indian authorities and the MEA representatives on another, a full-on security cordon.
43:26The USA also realizing that this man has grievous charges.
43:29The first image of Tahavud Rana, look at that.
43:31From the back, just like we had the image when he arrived on the Indian soil, the image of now 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian citizen in USA's custody, a full-on legal battle that was fought.
43:45That's the image, being held tight by the American officials.
43:49And then he was transferred over to the Indian authorities.
43:52So, this transfer, in many ways, viewers, remember, is the hard work of possibly weeks and months of India to convince this man had almost got away after having orchestrated the massacre of our innocent people and foreigners too, in which six Americans were also killed.
44:11That is one of the reasons that USA realizes this man needs to face the law.
44:15There are, of course, specific treaty conditions.
44:18But the first visual on your screen, that before he was put on a flight and dragged to India, that's the Tahavud Rana, casuals, white hair, white beard, being held tight by the police personnel, by the U.S. officials.
44:32These are the U.S. Marshals in California, the Central District.
44:35And that is when they transferred the custody of the Tahavud Rana after U.S. agreed that via a treaty, he can be extradited and face the law of full-on trial with conditions in India.
44:48But what a moment this has turned out to be for our country, for especially the officers who had been investigating for years now, preparing, whether it was the NIA dossier, whether it was the legal work, the paperwork that had to be done.
45:03Because remember, the allegation was that, did India not do enough in 2011, when the court was hearing the matter?
45:10Why couldn't we get him earlier? It's taken 17 years, but he's here.
45:19Amit Bhardwa joins me for the latest on that.
45:22Amit, so that is the first image on our screen.
45:25And what an image it definitely appears to be.
45:28Two countries deciding to fight global terror together.
45:33All right, Pooja, we are breaking those visuals of Tahavud Rana exclusive on India today.
45:41First images before he was put on the flight to India.
45:45So, what you see in these images is that U.S. Marshal officials are right next to Tahavud Rana.
45:52And the NIA personnel are also standing with Tahavud Rana.
45:56And these are images which were taken in the U.S.'s Central District of California before Tahavud Rana was put onto that flight in which the NIA officials, the NSG personnel brought him back to the country.
46:10So, we are breaking those images on India today right now.
46:14You can see the kind of security deployment that was done in United States as well, in California as well.
46:20And Tahavud Rana has been brought back to India in a similar wardrobe as well.
46:25This is a U.S. clothes that he was wearing, the cell that he must have been in.
46:31So, in the similar clothes, he has been brought back to India.
46:35And obviously, for security reasons, we cannot show the images of Tahavud Rana from the frontal images of Tahavud Rana is not being released by the authorities.
46:45But in these visuals, you can see as to how the U.S. authorities and the Indian personnel, NIA, NSG, have worked in tandem.
46:52And the U.S. Department of Justice has also issued a statement on the extradition of Tahavud Rana.
47:00But certainly, the United States Department of Justice is also saying as to how Tahavud Rana, 64-year-old Pakistani Canadian, was transported to India and was handed over to Ministry of External Affairs of India, yes, in California.
47:17So, those first images in which we can see the kind of security arrangements that were done in the United States, California, before he was handed over to the NIA in order to bring him back to Indian soil.
47:30Pooja.
47:30Remember that the U.S. prison authorities had said, Rana now in custody of Indian authorities.
47:36That was yesterday.
47:37It was primarily information now.
47:39This is that image that defined it.
47:41Look at that.
47:42Let's explain this image closely to you.
47:44That's the man on your screen, Tahavud Rana.
47:45Again, remember, from the back, security reasons, there's a reason you do not see the personnel, you do not see Tahavud Rana, needless to explain why.
47:53However, look at the security cordon even in the U.S.A.
47:57The American authorities also realizing the grievous charges against him.
48:01And then a statement came in from the U.S.A., from the White House, from the spokesperson, about how that India and the U.S.A. are ready to fight global terror together.
48:10And in many ways, it's a representation, a symbolism of what you see here on your screen.
48:16This now 64-year-old man who was last in India in 2008, before 2611, days before 2611, to orchestrate a massacre of innocent people, which sadly he successfully managed to do, is now being dragged back to India this time to face the law.
48:33And we hope it will be a fast, fair trial, and with all evidence that he will be punished very, very soon.
48:40That's the image on your screen.
48:42We've circled it for you to get you our closer look.
48:45Looks frail today.
48:47An elderly, senior citizen, if you really look at him.
48:50But what a devious, hateful mind to have orchestrated with financial support, logistical support, providing contacts to David Coleman Headley about barely 17 years ago, and all of this to first open a so-called travel agency office in Mumbai.
49:07This man travelled with his wife in Mumbai, not just to Mumbai, but Agra, Merah, Harpur, different areas and towns and cities of India.
49:17All of this, and he left just in time, so that the 10 radicalised terrorists could come in and then kill as many people at will, eventually 170 approximately.
49:31And 17 years later, India has got him.
49:35Remember, this is after 2011, when there was a full-on trial hearing that was on at the Chicago court.
49:42And at that point, there was this belief, how could we let him get away?
49:46Why did India not fight harder?
49:48But it's taken more than a decade, almost two decades.
49:50Now 64 years old, this man is back into India.
49:58Amit Bhardwaj continues to be with us.
50:00Amit, isn't this a representation as much of India being able to convince the United States of America that you need to send at least this man first, one by one, into India?
50:10We want him to be punished, to face the law.
50:13He's killed our countrymen.
50:15And how much evidence and paperwork that would have been needed all these years?
50:23Right, Pooja, you know, what you're saying is absolutely right.
50:26Not only India has been able to convince the U.S. authorities on extradition, but the statement that has been issued by the Department of Justice, which we are breaking down on India today right now, is even more important, you know,
50:39as to how the Indian authorities have been not only able to convince viewers, but also the grounds on which he has been extradited to India.
50:48You know, we were, there must have been a lot of questions amongst our viewers as well as to what are the charges on which he will be tried.
50:55So what we are given to understand, the Department of Justice of the United States is not the authorities in India, but rather the DOJ also giving the grounds for his extradition.
51:0710 criminal charges on which he has been sent back to India to face the trial in India.
51:14And what are these charges?
51:15What do they include?
51:17This includes the charges of conspiracy, murder, commission of terrorist act in India, forgery, as well as other involvements in connection to the 2008 Mumbai attack,
51:31an attack that was executed by Laskare Taiba.
51:34So, you know, there were a lot of questions as to what will be the charges against him, the U.S. Department of Justice breaking it down further even more.
51:45Conspiracy, murder, terrorist act, as well as forgery and other involvement in the Mumbai attack, 2611 attack.
51:54So these are, must have been the part of the documents that has been handed over by the Ministry of External Affairs, by the NIA, the MJ.
52:00There's a big visual coming in right now, Amit, stay on with me.
52:03Fully armed police personnel, U.S. Marshals, officials, who had him in his custody all these years, now Taha Vujra, now 64 years of age, in these casuals, being dragged.
52:15You can see the hesitance. If you notice carefully, you can see he looks as if he's frail, he's hesitant, because he tried his best to not be pushed back into India.
52:25He made all sorts of excuses, including saying, I am from Pakistan, I'm a Muslim, I'll be persecuted in India, ignoring the fact that he was here in Mumbai to orchestrate a massacre and a carnage.
52:37The two visuals on your screen. When the U.S. Marshals, the United States of America, officially after Donald Trump's announcement, transferred his custody to the Indian authorities, starting with the External Affairs Ministry, and then, of course, onward to the NIA, the team that brought him to India.
52:54And that's the image when he landed in Delhi.
52:57Both images very similar, because this is a part of security protocol, but from the back, what do we see?
53:03Now, white hair, elderly, 64 years old, but with now the NIA officials, the team that brought him back into India after all that paperwork and effort.