US top court rejects 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana's plea against India extradition

In a major setback to Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana, who is wanted by India for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, the US Supreme Court has denied his application seeking a stay on his extradition to India. The US top court's decision cleared the way for Rana to be brought back to India to face charges.

Rana, 64, who is currently lodged in the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles, had initially submitted an emergency application in February to a Circuit Justice for the Ninth Circuit to stay the extradition, and it was denied last month.

Following this, Rana renewed his emergency application, requesting it be directed to Chief Justice Roberts. The Supreme Court docket noted that this renewed application was distributed for a conference scheduled for April 4, and was referred to the full Court for consideration.

On Monday, the Supreme Court website posted a notice saying, "Application denied by the Court".

India has been pushing for Rana's extradition for several years. India has issued a warrant for



his arrest in August 2018.

In a significant development, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in February this year, President Donald Trump announced the extradition, saying that he would face justice.

"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. He is going back to India to face justice," Trump had said.

PM Modi thanked Trump for clearing the extradition, and asserted, "Tough action is needed against cross-border terrorism". "Grateful to President Trump for deciding to extradite 26/11 terrorist Tahawwur Rana. Our courts will bring him to justice," he added.

Rana is linked to Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Gilani, a key figure in the attacks. He is accused of aiding Headley and others in Pakistan in supporting the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in carrying out the Mumbai terror attack.