US Supreme Court Approves 26/11 Convict, Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition to India

The US Supreme Court has dismissed the review petition filed by Tahawwur Rana, a convict linked to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, thereby allowing his extradition to India. This decision marks the conclusion of Rana’s last legal effort to prevent his extradition, as he had already lost similar appeals in various federal courts, including the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco.

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Background of the Case

Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is accused of being involved in the deadly 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, in which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed. The attacks, carried out by 10 Pakistani terrorists, included a 60-hour siege targeting several key locations in Mumbai, such as hotels, a train station, and a Jewish center. India has long sought Rana’s extradition to stand trial for his role in the attacks.

In November 2020, Rana filed a “petition for a writ of certiorari” before the US Supreme Court, asking it to review and overturn his previous legal losses. However, the Supreme Court denied his petition on January 21, 2021, issuing a brief statement: “Petition DENIED.”

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Legal Arguments Against Extradition

Rana’s defense argued that he should not be extradited to India because he had already been tried and acquitted in a US court on charges related to the Mumbai attacks. He contended that India’s request for his extradition was based on identical conduct for which he had already faced legal proceedings in the US. Specifically, he pointed to his acquittal in the Northern District of Illinois, where he had been tried on charges connected to the 2008 attacks.

However, US Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar further stated that the jury’s verdict in the US trial, which involved conspiracy charges, did not necessarily cover all the specific conduct that India sought to prosecute Rana for.

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Rana’s Involvement in the Mumbai Attacks

Rana’s connections to the Mumbai attacks are closely linked to David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American who was one of the main conspirators behind the 26/11 attacks. Headley conducted extensive reconnaissance for the attackers and played a pivotal role in planning the assault on Mumbai. Rana, through his associations with Headley, has been implicated in the logistics and planning of the terror attack.

The US Supreme Court’s Ruling

On January 21, 2021, the US Supreme Court rejected Rana’s final petition, clearing the way for his extradition to India. Rana, aged 64, is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, it is expected that he will soon be transferred to India to face trial for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

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