26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana Fights Extradition From US, Cites Torture Fears

Cites Torture Fears: Tahawwur Rana, an accused of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has now moved the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge the order extraditing him to India.

In his plea, he has asked the top American court to protect him from extradition, Times Now reported on Thursday.

Rana claimed while challenging the US government's decree that 'torture' awaits him in India.

In response, Ujjwal Nikam, Spl public prosecutor in the 26/11 case, stated that the US Supreme Court will decide if there is merit in his claims.

"It is for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether there is any merit to the said allegation...India is one of the largest secular countries, and there is no discrimination on the grounds of race and religion," Nikam was quoted as saying.

Donald Trump announced in February in a joint press conference with PM Modi the decision of Washington to hand over Rana to New Delhi.

"I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters, Tahawwur Rana 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," Trump had said.

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US Supreme Court's rejection of Rana's plea

On January 21, the US Supreme Court dismissed Rana’s review petition, thereby clearing the way for his transfer. There are no more legal remedies for him now and Indian authorities have been working with US officials to finalize the arrangements for his surrender.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had confirmed the developments, saying, “Mr. Rana has exhausted all legal avenues in the United States, with the US Supreme Court also dismissing his appeal. We are now in touch with US authorities to work on the logistics of his surrender to Indian authorities. We will update you as soon as we hear further on this particular matter.”

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier announced that Indian officials were working closely with their counterparts in the US to ensure that the extradition proceeds smoothly. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said, “We are now working with the US side on procedural issues for early extradition to India of the accused in the Mumbai terror attack.”

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Who is Tahawwur Rana?

Rana, a former doctor and businessman, is a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin.

He was arrested in Chicago in 2009 for his links to a Pakistan-sponsored terror network. The FBI has accused him of supporting Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the terrorist organization that wreaked havoc on Mumbai. While he has been convicted in US courts for providing assistance to LeT, he has been acquitted of the charges concerning the Mumbai attacks themselves.

However, the Indian authorities have claimed that Rana was instrumental in allowing David Coleman Headley, one of the chief planners, to use his immigration business as a cover to conduct reconnaissance in Mumbai.

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