The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court has upheld the extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India, where he faces charges of terrorism, conspiracy, and murder for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. This decision comes years after Rana’s conviction in the U.S. for aiding terror plots, further intensifying global efforts to combat terrorism.
BY PC Bureau
Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Rana is expected to be extradited to India soon for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed approximately 175 lives. The U.S. government has approved his extradition after dismissal of his appeal against extradition by a federal appeals court in the U.S. last August.
Sources within the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Mumbai Police crime branch that they would bring rana back to face trial as soon formalitie3s were completed.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California upheld a lower court ruling that allowed Rana’s extradition under the 1997 India-U.S. extradition treaty, stating that the treaty covers his alleged offences. A three-judge panel reviewed Rana’s habeas corpus petition and agreed with the Central California District Court’s decision. Judge Milan Smith, who authored the opinion, noted that India had presented sufficient evidence to establish probable cause for the crimes Rana is accused of, supporting the magistrate judge’s order.
Rana, a former Pakistan Army doctor and Canadian citizen residing in Chicago, was first arrested in the U.S. in 2009 for his role in plotting to bomb the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, which had published controversial depictions of Prophet Mohammed. In a Chicago federal court, he faced charges of supporting the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, conspiring in the Danish case, and involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. While he was acquitted of charges related to the Mumbai attacks, he was convicted on the other counts and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Despite his acquittal on the Mumbai attack charge in the U.S., the appeals court clarified that it does not impede his extradition to India, where he faces additional charges, including conspiracy, waging war, murder, terrorism, and forgery. Rana was released on compassionate grounds during the COVID-19 pandemic after serving seven years of his sentence. India subsequently sought his extradition, which a U.S. magistrate judge approved.
Rana is accused of aiding his associate, Pakistani-American Daood Gilani, also known as David Headley, in obtaining a five-year Indian visa under the guise of expanding his business. Headley used the visa to conduct reconnaissance for the Mumbai attacks, surveying the Taj Hotel and other targets. Although India has sought the extradition of Headley, the U.S. declined, citing his cooperation deal with U.S. authorities, which includes immunity from extradition.
According to the judgement, Rana was aware of Headley’s activities and praised the terrorists involved in the attacks, reportedly stating that the Indian victims “deserved it.” Rana’s extradition marks a significant step in India’s efforts to bring U.S.-based accomplices of Lashkar-e-Taiba to justice.
