Mumbai Police submit chargesheet against Tahawwur Rana in 2008 terror attack case

In a significant development, the Mumbai Police submitted a comprehensive chargesheet on Monday before a special court in Mumbai, implicating Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana in connection with the heinous November 2008 terror attacks that shook the city.

The chargesheet, comprising over 400 pages, marks the fourth such document submitted in the case thus far. It was filed by the Mumbai police's crime branch with the court's registry. Notably, Rana is currently detained in the United States.

According to sources, the chargesheet is expected to be reviewed by the special court on Tuesday, following the verification process. A government lawyer, as reported by PTI, confirmed this development. As part of their legal strategy, the police have included Section 39A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which pertains to offences related to supporting a terrorist organization, against Rana in this case.

"We have obtained fresh evidence against Rana in the form of statements and documents," revealed a senior police officer to PTI, highlighting that this is the fourth chargesheet related to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Earlier this year, a US court approved the extradition of 62-year-old Rana to India. However, in August, a stay was ordered on his extradition to face trial in India for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Tahawwur stands accused of multiple charges for his role in the coordinated terror attacks that left a lasting scar on Mumbai. He is known to have been associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the chief conspirators behind the 26/11 strikes. Rana has been accused of being an operative of both Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, and the militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba. His alleged support for Headley is a central aspect of the charges against him.

The 2008 Mumbai terror attacks unfolded when ten terrorists from Pakistan arrived in the city via the sea route on November 26, 2008. Over the course of more than 60 harrowing hours, they laid siege to the financial capital, indiscriminately targeting the city's iconic landmarks including the Taj Hotel, a hospital, a Jewish centre, and other sites. Tragically, a total of 166 innocent lives were lost in the devastating attacks, leaving an indelible mark on the city and the nation as a whole.