Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has appealed to the US Supreme Court to block his extradition to India, citing health concerns and the risk of torture.
A Pakistani-origin Canadian citizen, Rana was convicted in the US for supporting the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and is wanted in India for allegedly assisting in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed over 174 lives. India has long sought his extradition.
Last month, US President Donald Trump confirmed Rana’s extradition during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. “Tahawwur Rana will be going back to India, where he will face justice,” Trump stated. PM Modi also expressed his gratitude for the decision.
In a final attempt to prevent his extradition, Rana has approached the US Supreme Court, arguing that he faces the risk of torture in India. He also cited his religion, Pakistani heritage, and concerns raised in human rights reports as reasons to oppose his transfer.
Rana said he was a “walking time bomb” with numerous problems, including a bulging artery, Parkinson’s disease and possible cancer. “I will be tortured on the highest order since I am a Muslim of Pakistan origin,” he said.
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India Prepares For Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition
After Trump’s announcement, government sources said he could be brought to India in a matter of few weeks. “Our jails are ready for Rana…We kept Ajmal Kasab, so this is not a security threat,” said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Upon his arrival in India, Rana is expected to be presented before a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court, where the NIA will request his custody for interrogation. His extradition is being hailed as a significant achievement for Indian agencies and the government.
“I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters (Tahawwur Rana) and one of the very evil people of the world, having to do with the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack to face justice in India,” Trump said during the press conference with Modi.
Trump also said that he and Modi will fight the threat emanating from radical Islam. “We agree that solid action must be taken to eliminate terrorism that originates on the other side of the border,” PM Modi said, taking a jibe at Pakistan which funds terrorist groups to create instability in India and adjoining countries, without directly referring to it.
Rana was inducted in October 2009. He was found guilty of providing logistical support for a failed attack in Denmark but was cleared of involvement in terrorist activities in India. The district court sentenced him to 14 years in prison, with terrorist David Headley testifying against him during the trial.
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