Tahawwur Rana, convicted in the 26/11 attacks, fails in his extradition appeal – what comes next?
Mumbai Attacks Convict Tahawwur Hussain Rana to be Extradited to India
Mumbai attacks convict Tahawwur Hussain Rana has exhausted his legal options to evade extradition to India. This clears the obstacles to bring him back to face the charges for what is counted among the deadliest terror attacks across the world.
The 2008 terror attacks shook Mumbai, the financial capital of the country. At least 166 people were killed in the attacks by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a banned outfit.
Ajmal Kasab, the sole attacker who was caught alive, was the only convict executed in the case. Two more masterminds are yet to be brought to justice, Rana being one of them.
Another is Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, an Indian operative who worked for the Lashkar terror group. He was arrested in 2012 after being identified by Kasab and is currently imprisoned in Mumbai.
Who Is Tahawwur Rana?
Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, had earlier worked as a doctor for the Pakistan Army. He had prior knowledge of the attacks, and a federal jury convicted him of helping Lashkar with material support in 2011.
He was also known to Pakistani-American David Headley, who was among the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks. Rana and Hadley were arrested in 2009 by the FBI while plotting an attack against a Danish newspaper.
During his interrogation in the US, Hadley had revealed before Indian officers that he had travelled to India five times between 2007 and 2008 and done recce for the Mumbai attacks – using a five-year visa that Rana had helped him obtain.
The Extradition Process
Besides being legal, Rana’s extradition has been a long diplomatic battle for India. In 2019, the government had first approached the US with a request to extradite him. For the next six years, India repeatedly followed this up with the US authorities while Rana looked for legal options.
The breakthrough came last August when a lower court ordered his extradition and was upheld by the Supreme Court earlier this month. It has now turned down a review request, clearing all the legal obstacles to his extradition.
What’s Next for Tahawwur Rana?
Legal obstacles being taken care of, it’s now a matter of time before Rana is extradited to India. His extradition will not be just a big diplomatic victory but an example of how people cannot run from the law after committing a crime.
Rana has been a close associate of the Pakistani spy agency ISI and by bringing him to India, Indian agencies will get access to what actually transpired behind this conspiracy.
The extradition process will start with Rana’s deportation from the US. Indian officers will go there and take him into custody, after which he will face the trial.
“The US Supreme Court has rejected Rana’s appeal. After that you have no other option left. He will be brought to India. This victory was achieved through diplomatic channels. He will be brought to India as soon as possible,” said an advocate.