US Supreme Court Clears Path For Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition To India

WASHINGTON, DC/NEW DELHI (ANI)- The US Supreme Court has denied the plea of 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Rana seeking a stay on his extradition to India. Justice Elena Kagan on March 6 rejected Rana’s application, which had argued that he would not survive long enough to be tried in India due to his health conditions and concerns about mistreatment.

Rana, through his appeal, stated, “If a stay is not entered, there will be no review at all, and the US courts will lose jurisdiction, and the petitioner will soon be dead.” He claimed that his extradition to India posed a high risk of torture due to his Pakistani origin, Muslim identity, past service in the Pakistani Army, and alleged links to the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Citing the Human Rights Watch 2023 World Report, he argued that the Indian government systematically discriminates against religious minorities, particularly Muslims, and described the administration as “increasingly autocratic.”

Rana also pointed to his deteriorating health, mentioning a 3.5 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm at risk of rupture, Parkinson’s disease with cognitive decline, and a suspected bladder cancer mass. He asserted that extradition would put him in a “hornet’s nest” where he would be vulnerable due to national, religious, and cultural animosity.

Despite Rana’s claims, the Indian government remains firm on his extradition. India is working closely with the United States to complete the necessary formalities. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on March 7, “You would have seen President Trump’s comments regarding the extradition of Rana. The Joint Statement also reflects this sentiment. We are working closely with the US Government to complete the necessary formalities to allow for his extradition to India.”

Rana, a Pakistani-origin businessman, physician, and immigration entrepreneur, is a known associate of Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the key conspirators in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He has been accused of facilitating the attacks and has alleged connections with the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence.