US Supreme Court Denies Stay on Extradition of 26/11 Terror Attack Suspect Tahawwur Rana
Rana’s extradition to India was previously approved by President Trump during PM Modi’s visit to the US. The 63-year-old is currently in custody in Los Angeles.
NEW DELHI – On Friday, the United States Supreme Court rejected an emergency request from Tahawwur Rana, a prime suspect in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks that claimed over 170 lives, to block his extradition to India.
Rana had urgently appealed to the Supreme Court to pause his already-approved extradition. In his plea, he argued that if sent to India, he would not survive long enough to face trial due to various reasons. He warned that without a stay, no further review would occur, US courts would lose authority over his case, and his life would be at risk soon after extradition. Additionally, Rana, a Muslim of Pakistani origin, claimed he faced a high likelihood of torture in India due to his background.
The decision to extradite Rana was authorized last month by US President Donald Trump during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington. Speaking at a joint White House press conference with Modi, Trump described Rana as a “very violent man” and confirmed his immediate transfer to India. He also hinted at more extraditions to come, noting several pending requests from India. Trump underscored the strong US-India partnership on crime issues and his administration’s commitment to supporting India’s interests.
Who is Tahawwur Rana?
Rana, who holds Canadian citizenship and has Pakistani origins, faces charges in India for his involvement in the Mumbai attacks that resulted in over 174 fatalities. He was found guilty in the United States for providing support to the proscribed organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
India has been seeking his extradition for an extended period. In connection with the 26/11 attack, Rana is alleged to have assisted his associate David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Gilani, who possessed US citizenship through his American mother and Pakistani father. US authorities apprehended Headley in October 2009.
Rana’s involvement reportedly extended beyond being cognisant of Headley’s connections to LeT, the Pakistan-based outlawed terrorist group. He actively supported Headley by providing him with false credentials, which enabled Headley to travel to India and scout potential targets for LeT’s 2008 operation.
