A Delhi court on Thursday permitted Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, to talk to his family members.

Rana is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, and had earlier asked the court for a one-time phone call so he could speak to his family about whether he should change his legal aid lawyer. He told the court he needed to consult his family before making the decision.

Officials at Tihar Jail had objected to Rana’s request, raising security concerns. However, the Patiala House Court allowed the call, noting that this wasn’t the first time Rana had made such a request. Earlier, too, he was granted permission for a one-time phone call.

Rana is a Pakistani-Canadian citizen who was extradited to India earlier this year after the US Supreme Court rejected his petition on April 4. He is known to be a close associate of David Coleman Headley, also known as Dawood Gilani, another key accused in the 26/11 case.

The Mumbai attacks of November 26, 2008, were one of the deadliest terror strikes in India. A group of 10 armed terrorists from Pakistan entered Mumbai by sea and attacked multiple crowded places, including:

  • The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station

  • Two luxury hotels — the Taj Mahal Palace and the Oberoi Trident

  • The Chabad House, a Jewish community centre

The attacks lasted for nearly 60 hours, leaving 166 people dead and many others injured.

Rana’s case continues in the Indian courts. As of now, the Patiala House Court has only granted a one-time phone call for him to speak to his family. The matter of legal aid and future hearings will move forward as per procedure.

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