Court rejects Tahawwur Rana plea for phone call with family

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court dismissed on Thursday a plea filed by Tahawwur Rana seeking permission for a telephonic interaction with his family. "Not allowed," said special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh.
The court had reserved its verdict on the plea on Wednesday after hearing arguments from National Investigation Agency and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused's legal aid counsel during in-camera proceedings.
Rana had moved an application through his lawyers, legal aid counsels Piyush Sachdeva and Lakshya Dheer, claiming that as a foreign national it was his basic and fundamental right to talk to his family who are worried about his condition in custody.
Opposing the plea, NIA argued that probe against Rana was at a critical stage and permitting communication with his family could jeopardise ongoing proceedings.
NIA officials, along with Narender Mann, special public prosecutor in the case appearing before the court, pointed out their concern over his well-being and also expressed concern that Rana might reveal "sensitive information". On April 21 the court had issued notice to the agency directing it to file a response to Rana's application. The accused had been remanded in NIA custody for 18 days on April 11.