The U.S. Supreme Court on Saturday rejected a review petition by Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, paving the way for his extradition to India. Rana faces charges for his alleged role in the attacks that killed 166 people. The court’s brief order stated: “Petition DENIED.”
Rana has previously lost legal battles in various U.S. courts, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco.
Reactions in India
The decision was met with widespread approval across India, with leaders urging the government to ensure the extradition of other fugitives as well. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut called for the extradition of additional high-profile fugitives such as Nirav Modi, who faces charges of fraud and money laundering, as well as Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon, both wanted in connection with other major crimes.
“This is a judicial process, and such processes take time. Now, Nirav Modi, Dawood, and Tiger Memon must also be brought back. The list is long,” Raut told reporters.
Hannan Mollah, a politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), also welcomed the decision, praising the U.S. Supreme Court for allowing Rana’s extradition. “These criminals committed crimes in India and are hiding abroad. The Indian government has sought their extradition, and it is good that the U.S. Supreme Court has permitted it. They should be brought back and tried here,” Mollah said in a statement to ANI.
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske hailed the decision as a significant victory for India, emphasizing the importance of Rana’s extradition.
Advocate Ujjwal Nikam’s Remarks
Prominent public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who played a key role in the prosecution of the 26/11 case in Mumbai, described the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision as a major achievement for India. Nikam suggested that Rana’s extradition could shed light on the involvement of Pakistani nationals and elements within Pakistan’s security apparatus in the attacks. “This is a great success for India. By extraditing Rana, we can gather crucial information and evidence about the involvement of Pakistani individuals, including those connected to their security agencies,” Nikam said.
Who is Tahawwur Rana?
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistani-origin businessman, is wanted in India for his alleged role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He is known to have collaborated with David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American terrorist associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Headley’s reconnaissance missions were instrumental in planning the attacks.
Rana’s extradition is expected to provide further insights into the conspiracy behind the attacks and the role of individuals and entities linked to them.
