Washington:
The US Supreme Court has upheld the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a convict in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, to India. This decision came after the court dismissed Rana’s review petition, marking the end of his legal avenues to avoid extradition.
Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is wanted by Indian authorities for his involvement in the deadly 26/11 Mumbai attacks that claimed 166 lives, including six Americans. After losing legal battles in multiple federal courts, including the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Rana filed a “petition for a writ of certiorari” with the Supreme Court on November 13. However, the court denied the petition on January 21.
“Petition DENIED,” the Supreme Court stated, bringing the long-drawn legal process to a close.
The 64-year-old is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. His extradition was strongly supported by the US government, with Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar arguing that Rana was not entitled to relief from extradition in this case.
Rana had previously claimed that he was tried and acquitted in a federal court in Illinois on charges related to the Mumbai attacks, arguing that India’s extradition request was based on the same conduct addressed in the Chicago case. However, Prelogar countered this, stating that India’s charges, including forgery, involve actions not covered in the US prosecution. For instance, one charge relates to Rana’s submission of false information to the Reserve Bank of India while opening a branch of the Immigration Law Center.
Rana’s connection to Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, a key conspirator of the 26/11 attacks, has been central to the case. Headley played a critical role in planning the attacks, which involved a 60-hour siege at several iconic locations in Mumbai, orchestrated by 10 Pakistani terrorists.
The attacks left a lasting scar on India, with 166 people killed and hundreds injured. The extradition of Tahawwur Rana is seen as a significant step in seeking justice for the victims of the horrific tragedy.