New Delhi:
In a significant development in the ongoing legal battle, Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the devastating 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is on the verge of being extradited to India. This move follows a recent ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which has upheld the extradition order against Rana.
Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, has been at the center of a lengthy extradition process. The US court’s decision is a crucial step in bringing Rana to India to face charges related to his alleged involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Rana was named in the 405-page chargesheet filed by the Mumbai Police, accusing him of supporting David Coleman Headley, the mastermind behind the attacks.
The extradition process gained momentum in August 2024 when the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court’s denial of Rana’s habeas corpus petition. The court ruled that India had provided sufficient evidence to establish probable cause that Rana committed the crimes for which he is charged. This ruling was based on the extradition treaty between the United States and India, which includes a Non-Bis in Idem (double jeopardy) exception.
Rana’s involvement in the terror plot is well-documented. He and his associate, David Coleman Headley, were involved in scouting locations and planning the attack in Mumbai. Rana was operating a travel agency in Chicago at the time and played a crucial role in producing the blueprint used by the Pakistani terrorists who carried out the deadly attack.
Despite being acquitted in a US federal court on charges related to the Mumbai attacks, the US court has determined that the Indian charges contain distinct elements that were not covered in the US prosecution. This distinction has paved the way for Rana’s extradition to India, where he will face trial for his alleged role in the 26/11 attacks.
