NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Friday credited his former party, the Congress, with the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana from the United States to India, saying that the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which secured Rana's extradition, was established by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
The NIA, a counter-terrorism law enforcement agency, was founded in December 2008, just a month after the November 26 attacks in India's financial capital. The UPA governed the country from May 2004 till May 2014, and was followed by the incumbent National Democratic Alliance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The BJP has repeatedly criticized the Congress for "doing nothing" after the Mumbai attacks.
Also Read | PM Modi's commitment or UPA-era groundwork? BJP, Congress fight over credit for Tahawwur Rana's extradition
"I remember the NIA was established during UPA times. It registered a case in this incident on November 11, 2009, where the accused were David Headley and Tahawwur Rana," Sibal told reporters during a press conference, news agency ANI reported.
The NIA, he said, had expressed "displeasure" to the US after Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was left out of certain charges in the Mumbai case.
The ex-Union minister continued, "Rana was arrested in Chicago, but he was released. NIA expressed displeasure to the US over the issue, saying that some charges were not imposed. In December 2009, the chargesheet was filed against Rana and (co-accused David) Headley and other unknown persons. Through mutual assistance, the NIA team reached America and examined Headley, who was under custody there. The conspiracy was uncovered as this happened."
He added, "Today, the accused is before us, and things will become clearer as we know that only Tahawwur Rana and David Headley were not the conspirators, but more were involved. It will become clear who else from Pakistan's establishment was involved. I congratulate the UPA government for their efforts and also our government for their efforts, which have been successful. We have Tahawwur Rana in India today."
The NIA has placed Rana, 64, a key architect of the 26/11 attacks, under 18-day custody. Investigators suspect similar terror plots were devised for multiple cities across India. To piece together the full scope of the conspiracy, officials may take him to various locations, retracing events from 17 years ago.
On Thursday evening, Rana was formally arrested upon his arrival in India following his extradition from the US, which came after he had exhausted all legal avenues to prevent the move. Presenting him before a special court, the NIA argued for his custodial interrogation to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.
According to investigators, Headley, another key conspirator, had informed Rana about the attack plans before his visit to India. Their email exchanges serve as critical evidence of their involvement.
The NIA, a counter-terrorism law enforcement agency, was founded in December 2008, just a month after the November 26 attacks in India's financial capital. The UPA governed the country from May 2004 till May 2014, and was followed by the incumbent National Democratic Alliance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The BJP has repeatedly criticized the Congress for "doing nothing" after the Mumbai attacks.
Also Read | PM Modi's commitment or UPA-era groundwork? BJP, Congress fight over credit for Tahawwur Rana's extradition
"I remember the NIA was established during UPA times. It registered a case in this incident on November 11, 2009, where the accused were David Headley and Tahawwur Rana," Sibal told reporters during a press conference, news agency ANI reported.
The NIA, he said, had expressed "displeasure" to the US after Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was left out of certain charges in the Mumbai case.
The ex-Union minister continued, "Rana was arrested in Chicago, but he was released. NIA expressed displeasure to the US over the issue, saying that some charges were not imposed. In December 2009, the chargesheet was filed against Rana and (co-accused David) Headley and other unknown persons. Through mutual assistance, the NIA team reached America and examined Headley, who was under custody there. The conspiracy was uncovered as this happened."
He added, "Today, the accused is before us, and things will become clearer as we know that only Tahawwur Rana and David Headley were not the conspirators, but more were involved. It will become clear who else from Pakistan's establishment was involved. I congratulate the UPA government for their efforts and also our government for their efforts, which have been successful. We have Tahawwur Rana in India today."
The NIA has placed Rana, 64, a key architect of the 26/11 attacks, under 18-day custody. Investigators suspect similar terror plots were devised for multiple cities across India. To piece together the full scope of the conspiracy, officials may take him to various locations, retracing events from 17 years ago.
On Thursday evening, Rana was formally arrested upon his arrival in India following his extradition from the US, which came after he had exhausted all legal avenues to prevent the move. Presenting him before a special court, the NIA argued for his custodial interrogation to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.
According to investigators, Headley, another key conspirator, had informed Rana about the attack plans before his visit to India. Their email exchanges serve as critical evidence of their involvement.
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