Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has filed an appeal against his extradition to India, claiming he faces health risks and the possibility of torture.
Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, was convicted in the U.S. for aiding the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). India has long sought his extradition for allegedly facilitating the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that claimed over 174 lives.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump had confirmed Rana’s extradition during a White House press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month. “Tahawwur Rana will be sent back to India to face justice,” Trump announced, with PM Modi expressing gratitude for the decision.
However, in a last-minute effort to block his transfer, Rana has now approached the U.S. Supreme Court, citing concerns over religious persecution, his Pakistani origins, and human rights violations. He also claimed to suffer from multiple health conditions, including a bulging artery, Parkinson’s disease, and possible cancer, calling himself a “walking time bomb.”
Following Trump’s announcement, Indian officials indicated that Rana could be brought to India within weeks. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that Indian jails were equipped to handle high-profile prisoners, stating, “We kept Ajmal Kasab, so this is not a security threat.”
Once extradited, Rana is expected to appear before a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court, with the agency likely to seek his custody for interrogation. His extradition is being seen as a significant victory for Indian authorities.
During the press conference, Trump described Rana as “one of the plotters and one of the very evil people of the world” involved in the Mumbai attacks. Both Trump and Modi reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism, with Modi taking an indirect swipe at Pakistan for harboring terrorist groups.
