US Supreme Court Denies 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana’s Plea to Pause Extradition to India- wna24

Washington: The US Supreme Court has rejected the plea of Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana, paving the way for his extradition to India. The decision comes weeks after US President Donald Trump approved the move during Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s visit to Washington.  

Rana, a 63-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin, has been fighting a legal battle to avoid being sent to India, where he faces charges for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. His legal team had approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on his extradition, but Justice Elena Kagan refused to intervene. Following this, his counsel submitted a renewed emergency application, requesting that the matter be placed before the Chief Justice.

During Modi’s visit to the US in February, Trump announced that his administration had approved the extradition, calling Rana “very evil” and stating that he must “face justice in India.” This statement came after the Supreme Court had dismissed Rana’s review petition in January, making his return to India almost certain. 

Rana has long been under scrutiny for his association with Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist David Headley, one of the key conspirators behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which claimed 175 lives. Headley had earlier testified against him, revealing details of Rana’s alleged involvement in facilitating reconnaissance missions for the attack.  

In his emergency application, Rana argued that he would face torture in India due to his Pakistani origin and Muslim identity. However, US courts have rejected these claims, with previous rulings stating that the extradition treaty between the US and India had been followed in full compliance with legal norms.  

With the Supreme Court’s decision, all legal obstacles preventing Rana’s extradition have now been removed. He remains in custody at a metropolitan detention center in Los Angeles and could be sent to India soon, where authorities are preparing for his trial.  

India has been pursuing Rana’s extradition for years and officials in New Delhi are closely coordinating with their American counterparts to finalize the timeline for his return.