In a major development, the US Supreme Court on Saturday cleared the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key convict involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is wanted by India for his role in the devastating terror attacks that took place in Mumbai, which claimed 166 lives, including six Americans.
Background and Legal Battle
Rana, who was closely associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, had been fighting against his extradition to India for several years. The US Supreme Court’s decision comes weeks after he lost a legal battle in lower courts and attempted to block his extradition. Rana had filed a petition of writ of certiorari to prevent his extradition, but the US Supreme Court denied the petition on January 21.
Rana had previously challenged the extradition decision through the US Court of Appeals for the North Circuit in San Francisco, but lost again. In December 2022, US Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar urged the Supreme Court to reject Rana’s petition, leading to the final ruling in favor of his extradition.
Charges Against Tahawwur Rana
Rana is accused of playing a crucial role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, which were masterminded by David Coleman Headley and carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives. The attacks, which targeted iconic locations in Mumbai, lasted for over 60 hours and caused widespread destruction and loss of life.
Rana faces charges of conspiracy, providing material support to the terrorists, and helping Headley in planning the attacks. He is also known to have been involved in the planning stages of the attacks, helping Headley in scouting the locations targeted by the terrorists.
Impact of the Ruling
The decision to extradite Rana to India is a significant victory in the ongoing battle for justice for the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks. With the legal hurdles now cleared, the Indian authorities are expected to proceed with his extradition, where he will face trial for his involvement in one of the most brutal terrorist attacks in India’s history.
This ruling also marks an important moment in the US-India relations in terms of counterterrorism cooperation, as India has long sought Rana’s extradition.
