The US Supreme Court has rejected the final appeal by Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, effectively clearing the path for his extradition to India. The decision brings Rana closer to facing trial for his alleged involvement in one of India’s deadliest terrorist attacks.
Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin and a former Chicago resident, had filed an “Emergency Application For Stay Pending Litigation of Petition For Writ of Habeas Corpus” with Associate Justice Elena Kagan of the Supreme Court on February 27. After the application was initially denied, he filed a renewed petition requesting that the matter be considered by Chief Justice John Roberts. On Monday, the court officially dismissed the application, as noted on its website: “Application denied by the Court.”
Convicted for supporting Lashkar-e-Taiba
Rana was convicted in 2011 on charges of conspiracy to support a terror plot in Denmark and for aiding Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which orchestrated the 26/11 attacks. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison and is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.
Investigators have long linked Rana with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley—one of the main operatives behind the Mumbai attacks. Headley posed as an employee of Rana’s immigration consultancy firm while conducting reconnaissance in Mumbai ahead of the attacks that left 166 people dead.
US stands by India in fight against terror
President Donald Trump had earlier announced the decision to extradite Rana during a joint press briefing with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in February this year.
“I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and one of the very evil people of the world, having to do with the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack to face justice in India. So he is going to be going back to India to face justice,” Trump had said.
The 2008 attacks saw coordinated strikes across Mumbai, including at luxury hotels, a Jewish center, and the city’s main railway station. The assault was carried out by members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation. While Pakistan’s government has denied involvement, India maintains that the group operated with support from across the border.
Rana’s extradition likely soon
With the Supreme Court‘s rejection of his plea, Rana has exhausted all legal options available in the United States to prevent his extradition. Indian authorities have long demanded that he be sent back to face justice, and now his transfer could take place in the coming weeks.
The development marks a significant moment in India’s pursuit of justice for the victims of the 26/11 attacks and underlines the continued cooperation between the US and India on counter-terrorism efforts.
