The Central Government officially appointed Advocate Narendra Mann as the Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case.
The appointment was made official via a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday.
Signed by Joint Secretary Adhijit Sinha, the notification states that Mann would hold the position for three years or until the trial is over—whichever comes first.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the Central Government appoints Narender Mann, Advocate, as Special Public Prosecutor for conducting trial and other related matters in connection with NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the NIA before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a term of three years from the date of publication of this notification or until the trial of the said case is completed, whichever is earlier," it states.
This major step is taken during the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana—an alleged and accused main conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai attack—and he is being brought to India now.
Rana, who is 64, was extradited from the US almost 16 years after he was arrested for participating in the fatal attack.
Rana will arrive in Delhi and will be lodged in a high-security wing of Tihar Jail, according to officials.
Jail authorities have already made final arrangements for his custody, sources have said.
On Wednesday night, sources indicated that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) directed Delhi Police's Nayayik Abhiraksha Vahini, which handles prisoner transport, to send a jail van with an escort pilot team to the airport for Thursday.
Additional reports substantiate increased security protocols at the major venues. Delhi Police Special Cell remains on high alert, SWAT commandos were deployed at the airport, and security has been beefed up at the NIA headquarters in New Delhi.
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