Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistan-origin Canadian businessman implicated in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is set to be extradited to India soon, according to a report in The Economic Times. Diplomatic efforts to facilitate his transfer are reportedly underway, following a landmark ruling by the US judiciary.
US Court Clears Path for Extradition
In August 2024, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a lower court’s decision declaring Rana extraditable to India under the US-India extradition treaty. The court dismissed Rana’s habeas corpus petition, affirming that sufficient evidence exists to support India’s allegations against him.
The court concluded that Rana’s alleged role in the Mumbai attacks, including supporting their mastermind, David Coleman Headley, falls squarely within the terms of the treaty. Importantly, the panel rejected arguments invoking the "Non-Bis in Idem" principle (double jeopardy), ruling that the charges brought by India are distinct from those for which Rana was acquitted in the United States.
Role in 26/11 Mumbai Attacks
Rana was named in the Mumbai Police’s 405-page chargesheet for his alleged involvement in the November 2008 attacks, which left over 170 people dead and hundreds injured. He is accused of acting as an operative for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The chargesheet details Rana’s support for David Coleman Headley, who conducted reconnaissance of key Mumbai locations targeted during the attacks. Headley’s efforts, facilitated by Rana, were instrumental in planning the assault that struck Mumbai’s hotels, railway stations, and the Jewish community center.
FBI Arrest and Investigation
Less than a year after the attacks, Rana was arrested in Chicago by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). At the time, he was operating a travel agency that investigators allege was a front for terror-related activities.
Evidence suggests that Rana collaborated with Headley to scout Mumbai’s locations and landing zones for the Pakistani terrorists who executed the attacks. Investigators have pointed to a detailed blueprint of the operation, which they claim Rana helped develop.
Legal and Diplomatic Implications
Rana’s extradition marks a significant step in holding all perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks accountable. Indian authorities view this as a critical opportunity to bring justice to the victims and further expose the network of individuals and organizations involved in the attacks.
The case underscores the strength of international legal cooperation in combating terrorism. Rana’s transfer to India, if successful, will serve as a powerful reminder of the reach of justice for those accused of aiding acts of terror.
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