The US Supreme Court has approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a convict linked to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India.
Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani descent, is wanted by Indian authorities for his suspected involvement in the coordinated attacks on multiple locations in Mumbai.
Currently 63 years old, Rana has been held in a Los Angeles prison. He was arrested by the FBI in Chicago in 2009 for his connections with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, also known as “Daood Gilani.”
Headley, a central figure in the attacks, cooperated with investigators and is now serving a 35-year prison sentence in the US. Rana is accused of assisting Headley and others in Pakistan to support the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in orchestrating the attack.
US Supreme Court Clears Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition
The US Supreme Court has officially approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, as reported by PTI. This decision comes after a lengthy legal process, during which Rana made multiple attempts to avoid being sent to India.
Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, is wanted by Indian authorities for his alleged role in planning and supporting the attacks that targeted several locations in Mumbai. India has been pursuing his extradition for years to hold him accountable for his involvement.
Recently, Rana had approached the US Supreme Court to block his extradition after losing legal battles in lower courts and federal courts. Before this, he had sought relief from the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco but was unsuccessful.
This decision by the Supreme Court was Rana’s last opportunity to challenge his extradition. On December 16, the US Solicitor General, Elizabeth B. Prelogar, urged the Supreme Court to reject his petition. She argued that Rana had no valid grounds to prevent extradition.
However, Rana’s lawyer, Joshua L. Dratel, responded on December 23, requesting the court to accept his appeal and reconsider the case. Despite these efforts, the Supreme Court denied the petition, clearing the final hurdle for Rana’s extradition to India.
This ruling means Rana will now be sent to India to face charges related to one of the deadliest terror attacks in the country’s history.
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What Charges Does Tahawwur Rana Face?
Tahawwur Rana is accused of involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and is linked to David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative and key planner of the devastating 2008 attack on Mumbai, India’s financial capital.
The Mumbai attacks resulted in the tragic loss of 166 lives, including six Americans. Ten terrorists from Pakistan carried out a coordinated assault, laying siege to the city for over 60 hours and targeting prominent locations, leaving a lasting scar on the nation.
US Supreme Court Rejects Tahawwur Rana’s Plea
On December 16, US Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar urged the Supreme Court to dismiss Tahawwur Rana’s petition. However, Rana’s lawyer, Joshua L. Dratel, countered this on December 23, requesting the Court to hear the case. Despite the appeal, the Supreme Court declined to intervene.
Rana faces allegations of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed 166 lives, including six Americans, in one of India’s deadliest terrorist incidents.
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FAQs
Q.1. Who is Tahawwur Rana?
Ans. Tahawwur Rana is a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin accused of aiding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and having links with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative David Coleman Headley.
Q.2. What role did Rana play in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks?
Ans. Rana is accused of assisting David Coleman Headley and others in planning and supporting the attacks carried out by the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Q.3. What was the outcome of Rana’s appeal to the US Supreme Court?
Ans. The US Supreme Court rejected Rana’s appeal, clearing the way for his extradition to India to face charges related to the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Q.4. Why is Rana being extradited to India?
Ans. India has been pursuing Rana’s extradition to hold him accountable for his alleged role in planning and supporting the coordinated attacks on multiple locations in Mumbai.
Q.5. What is the significance of this extradition decision?
Ans. Rana’s extradition is a critical step in seeking justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed 166 lives, including six Americans.
