Chicago:
Jury deliberations in the trial of the Chicago businessman reportedly involved in plotting 26/11 have begun in the federal courthouse in Chicago. Speaking exclusively to NDTV as she awaits a verdict about her husband's guilt or innocence, Mrs. Tahawwur Rana said she has confidence in the US legal system. Mrs. Rana maintains that her husband is innocent especially because-- as she says-- he was traveling to India at the time of the attacks which proves he was unaware of the plot being hatched by David Headley and his handlers in Pakistan.
Here is the full transcript of her interview to NDTV.
Sarah Jacob: Even during the jury's closing argument, which sounded damning against Mr. Rana , your youngest daughter and you were holding hands and supporting each other. What is going through your mind right now as you await a verdict ?
Shamraz Rana: From the very first day we have been very confident about my husband's innocence and I still am very confident. We have full trust in our attorneys and full trust in the jury also , I have full trust that they are going to make a good decision and he is not going to be guilty
Sarah Jacob: The prosecutions main stand was the conversation that took place in the car between your husband and Mr. Headley ,where they say he laughed when he heard of 26/11. Is this what you know of the man you have lived with for the past 21 years ?
Shamraz Rana: I dont think that is right. My husband is not like that .We definitely not like that,India is our second home, my mother's closest relatives are from there . It is like little kids when they talk, and only with one conversation they are assuming all of it from that one conversation and relating it to the fact that he laughed. There is nothing like that. I know him very well, I have lived with him for 21 years and he is just not that type of person. But the thing is for 3 years he was in college and it happens with all of us, that you know if my friend from college met me I would meet her nicely.
Sarah Jacob: The defence's main argument has been that your husband was in Mumbai at the time of the attack and he even took you with him. What do they mean by that?
Shamraz Rana: He had gone there on a business trip. We also went to meet our relatives in India. We travelled extensively for 12 whole days. We met relatives and visited historical places. It was my husband's dream to visit the Taj and we did that. If he had any inkling of the attack, he would not have gone there and he would not have taken me with him. He even took out an advertisement in the papers about his trip for work. If he were involved, in this why would he publicize his arrival? My Husband and I have young children. If we were both killed or harmed, then who would look after our kids. Look, it is impossible. My husband is not a secretive man. He never kept any secrets from anyone or me. Even if he went alone to India, why would he take me?
Sarah Jacob: David Headley has been a mystery to most people, but according to the prosecution, he lived in your home, that means he interacted with you and your children. Has he only managed to fool your husband or were you and your kids also taken in by his personality?
Shamraz Rana: The way you all say he lived in my house does not mean he actually lived in my house; he would just turn up sometimes like a guest. And if he has stayed it was for one day, as he is extremely attached to the kids and he told them he would show them American movies. When we come from different countries it is more difficult for the parents, the kids that are born here they are totally Americanized and it is difficult to make them understand what we wanted them to, but Headley was American he could understand them and what they wanted . So that is how he became more attached to the kids as compared to the parents.
Sarah Jacob: How are the kids taking this?
Shamraz Rana: The kids are shocked but they have full confidence in their father. He is their role model and they know he is innocent and they are very proud of their father. I am very proud of my husband. I love him, my kids love him \.