New Delhi: In a groundbreaking development, the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the United States to India marks a significant breakthrough in the pursuit of justice for the devastating 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. As one of the masterminds behind this tragedy, Rana’s arrival is crucial not only for facing trial but also for potentially unraveling a web of unknown conspirators and details that have remained elusive for over a decade. This move is expected to shed new light on the attacks, possibly naming additional accomplices whose involvement was previously unknown.
Loknath Behera, a former inspector general of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), underscored the importance of Rana’s extradition. According to Behera, Rana’s interrogation could fill crucial gaps in previous investigations, particularly since Indian authorities were unable to question him directly unlike David Coleman Headley, another key figure in the plot. The NIA had filed charges against Rana in 2011, and more recently, in 2023, the Mumbai Police added another set of charges related to plotting the terror attacks.
The NIA case against Rana is broader in scope, encompassing a larger conspiracy beyond just the Mumbai attacks. This includes potential targets such as the National Defence College, indicating bigger game plans that have yet to be fully revealed. Rana’s role in helping Headley scout locations in Mumbai was pivotal to the success of the attacks. By facilitating Headley’s travel and setting up a business cover in the city, Rana played a critical support role in the plot.
One of the significant outcomes of Rana’s extradition could be the revelation of new information about his handlers. For instance, while the handlers of Headley are known, the identities of Rana’s handlers remain unclear, and his testimony might clarify these aspects. This stands in contrast to Headley’s situation, where he invoked a plea bargain in the U.S. courts, protecting him from extradition to countries like India.
Rana’s legal journey in the U.S. has been marked by previous convictions and acquittals. He was sentenced to 14 years for involvement in a separate case related to Denmark and was acquitted of direct involvement in the Mumbai attacks due to insufficient evidence. His extradition to India, following a prolonged legal battle, is a victory of diplomatic efforts by Indian authorities.
Upon arrival in Delhi, Rana underwent a medical examination and was presented before a special NIA court for custody proceedings. The successful extradition of Rana to India now sets the stage for potentially revealing new names and details related to the 26/11 attacks, contributing significantly to the ongoing efforts to bring all culprits to justice.
