Delhi, 1 May (H.S.): The Special NIA Court has granted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) permission to collect voice and handwriting samples from 26/11 mastermind Tahawwur Rana, who is currently in NIA custody after being extradited from the United States.On Wednesday, Special Judge Chander Jit Singh approved the NIA’s request, while also extending Rana’s custody for 12 more days.

During a recent hearing, the NIA presented evidence indicating Rana’s evasiveness during questioning and stressed the necessity for additional interrogation to uncover vital information about his involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks.

The NIA was represented by Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan and Special Public Prosecutor Narender Mann, while Rana’s defense attorney, Piyush Sachdeva, opposed further remand, arguing it was unnecessary. Rana, a Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, was implicated in the 2008 attacks that killed over 170 people and has been placed under investigation in New Delhi.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar