NIA blocks monthly phone calls for 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has refused to grant a no-objection certificate (NOC) to Tihar Jail authorities for allowing monthly phone calls to Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks case. Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, is currently lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail and sought regular telephonic contact with his family in Canada.

Rana filed an application through his legal aid counsel, Piyush Sachdeva, requesting permission to speak to his family once a month. The plea stated that regular phone communication was part of his fundamental rights as an undertrial and would help him consult his family regarding the legal proceedings. The request was submitted before Special Judge (NIA) Chanderjit Singh.

On Saturday, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Delhi Prisons submitted a status report in court, confirming that the NIA had denied the NOC on the grounds of security threats. The report outlined that the federal agency was not in favour of granting phone access to Rana, even once a month, due to concerns related to national security and ongoing investigations.

Earlier, on June 9, the court had permitted Rana to make a one-time phone call to his family, under the condition that it would be conducted in strict compliance with the Tihar Jail manual and regulations. At that time, the court also sought the jail administration's views on granting monthly phone call access and directed it to submit a detailed feasibility report within ten days.

The court has now listed the matter for further hearing on August 1. It is expected to take a decision on whether to accept the NIA’s objection or allow monthly phone access for Rana. The application and reports submitted will be considered in determining the final order regarding Rana’s communication privileges from jail.