Washington, D.C.: In a significant development, Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case, is now one step closer to being extradited to India after the U.S. Supreme Court denied his emergency stay application. Following the rejection by Justice Elena Kagan, Rana’s legal team has now appealed directly to Chief Justice John Roberts in a final attempt to halt his extradition.
Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian citizen, had sought an emergency stay on the grounds that he would face torture and possible death in Indian custody due to his religious background and past association with the Pakistani military. His plea cited serious health concerns, including a bulging artery and Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, he pointed to reports from Human Rights Watch alleging discrimination against religious minorities in India.
A known associate of Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, Rana was convicted in the United States for providing support to the proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Headley, a key conspirator of the 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed 174 lives, had testified against Rana in court. While Rana was convicted for aiding a foiled terror plot in Denmark, he was acquitted of direct involvement in the 26/11 attacks.
Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed Rana’s extradition during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. “Tahawwur Rana will be going back to India, where he will face justice,” Trump announced, with Modi expressing gratitude for the decision.
Once extradited, Rana is expected to be produced before a special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which will seek his custody for further interrogation. His extradition marks a significant victory for Indian law enforcement agencies in their long-standing efforts to bring him to trial.
The case continues to draw international attention as legal proceedings unfold.
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