• The National Investigation Agency (NIA) secured 18-day custody of Mumbai attacks mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana on April 11.

• He will be questioned to unravel the conspiracy behind the deadly 26/11 terror strike and his role as a planner of the attacks.

• The anti-terror agency had produced Rana before the NIA Special Court at Patiala House in New Delhi after formally placing him under arrest on his arrival, following his extradition from the US.

• The extradition plane carrying Rana landed at the Delhi airport on April 10.

• Rana is accused of conspiring with Headley and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the  attacks in Mumbai.

• On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India’s financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea. The deadly attacks that claimed 166 lives.

• The 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, a close associate of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks main conspirator David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen, was brought to India after the US Supreme Court dismissed his review plea against his extradition.

• The NIA had secured Rana’s extradition from the US following years of sustained efforts, and after the terror mastermind’s last-ditch efforts to get a stay on his extradition from the US failed.

• With the coordinated efforts of India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the relevant authorities in the United States, the surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist was eventually secured and the extradition was carried out.

National Investigation Agency (NIA)

• The NIA was set up in 2009 in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 that had claimed 166 lives. 

• The NIA was constituted under the NIA Act of 2008 as a special agency for investigation and prosecution of offences specified in the Schedule of NIA Act. 

• NIA is the premier investigation agency at the central level to investigate terrorism related cases including terrorism financing cases.

• It aims to set the standards of excellence in counter terrorism and other national security related investigations at the national level by developing into a highly trained, partnership oriented workforce.

• The NIA, with its headquarters in New Delhi, has 19 branch offices across the country.

• The NIA Act was amended in 2019 to enlarge the mandate of the NIA by inclusion of offences related to human trafficking, manufacture/sale of prohibited arms, cyber-terrorism and offences under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 and expanded its jurisdiction beyond India.

• Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 was amended in 2019 to empower Director General (DG), NIA to seize/attach the properties related to proceeds of terrorism in cases being investigated by the NIA.

Objectives of NIA:

• In-depth professional investigation of scheduled offences using the latest scientific methods of investigation and setting up such standards as to ensure that all cases entrusted to the NIA are detected.

• Ensuring effective and speedy trial.

• Developing into a thoroughly professional, result-oriented organisation, upholding the constitution of India and laws of the land giving prime importance to the protection of human rights and dignity of the individual.

• Developing a professional workforce through regular training and exposure to the best practices and procedures.

• Displaying scientific temper and progressive spirit while discharging the duties assigned.

• Inducting modern methods and the latest technologies in every sphere of activities of the agency.

• Assist all states and other investigating agencies in probing terrorist cases.

• Build a database on all terrorist-related information and share the database available with the states and other agencies.

• Study and analyse laws related to terrorism in other countries and regularly evaluate the adequacy of existing laws in India and propose changes as and when necessary.

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