Washington:
In a significant victory for India’s pursuit of justice, the US Supreme Court has cleared the way for the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key figure in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, to face trial in India. This decision marks the end of Rana’s legal battles to avoid extradition, a journey that has spanned multiple federal courts.
Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin, has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. His extradition is a crucial step in India’s ongoing efforts to bring to justice those responsible for the devastating 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed the lives of 166 people, including six Americans.
The US Supreme Court’s decision on January 21, 2025, to dismiss Rana’s review petition against his extradition is a milestone in this long-standing case. Rana had filed a “petition for a writ of certiorari” in November, which was his last legal recourse to avoid being sent to India. However, the Supreme Court denied this petition, affirming the decisions of lower federal courts, including the US Court of Appeals for the North Circuit in San Francisco, where Rana had previously lost his appeals.
Rana’s involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks is well-documented. He is associated with David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American terrorist who was a main conspirator in the attacks. Despite being tried and acquitted in a federal court in Chicago on charges related to the Mumbai attacks, India seeks to extradite Rana for different charges, including forgery. The US Solicitor General, Elizabeth B Prelogar, argued that Rana’s conduct, such as using false information in an application to the Reserve Bank of India, was not covered by the previous US prosecution.
The US government’s stance, as articulated by Prelogar, was that Rana was not entitled to relief from extradition. This position was upheld by the Supreme Court, paving the way for Rana’s extradition to India. The extradition process will now be handled by the US State Department, which will complete the necessary legal formalities before Rana is transferred to Indian authorities.
This development is seen as a diplomatic win for India and underscores the country’s determination to pursue justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. It also highlights the collaborative efforts between the US and India in combating terrorism, sending a strong message about their joint commitment to counter-terrorism.
