Rana’s extradition could unravel Pak state actors’ role in Mumbai attacks
Washington/New Delhi, Jan 25: In a major development, the US Supreme Court on Saturday approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, to India.
Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, has been declared a fugitive by India and faces multiple criminal charges related to the attacks that left 166 people dead, including six US citizens.
The US Supreme Court dismissed Rana’s review petition against his extradition. He had filed a “petition for a writ of certiorari” in November last year, which was rejected on January 21.
This decision came a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th US President.
“Petition denied,” the court stated.
Rana’s plea followed a series of failed legal battles in lower and federal courts, including the US Court of Appeals for the North Circuit in San Francisco.
US Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar had urged the Supreme Court to reject Rana’s petition, a recommendation challenged unsuccessfully by Rana’s counsel, Joshua L. Dratel.
The extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India may allow agencies to further probe into the audacious 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and the role of Pakistani state actors in the carnage that left 166 dead, including US, British and Israeli nationals, in 2008.
The US Supreme Court has turned down a review petition by terror accused Rana, dismissing his last legal challenge against his extradition to India to face the law in India.
Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin, filed a ‘petition for a writ of certiorari’ before the US Supreme Court on November 13 to review a lower court ruling, which was denied.
“We are looking forward to the early extradition of Rana, who could shed light on some new aspects of 26/11, if any,” an official who was part of the probe into the 26/11 attacks said.
Currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles, Rana is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Headley obtained consent from Rana, who owned First World Immigration Services in Chicago and elsewhere, to open a First World office in Mumbai as a cover for his activities. (Agencies)