Tahawwur Rana Extradited to India in 26/11 Mumbai Attacks Case
In a major development in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a prime accused, has been extradited from the United States to India. The 64-year-old Pakistani-born Canadian national arrived in New Delhi on April 10, 2025, and was immediately taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation.
Rana is accused of playing a central role in facilitating the deadly 2008 attacks that killed 166 people, including several foreign nationals. He allegedly conspired with David Coleman Headley, who had previously revealed that Rana’s immigration firm in Chicago served as a front for conducting surveillance operations in India prior to the attacks.
The extradition follows a long legal battle in the United States. A U.S. district court had cleared the way for Rana’s extradition in May 2023. His appeals, including to the Ninth Circuit Court and the U.S. Supreme Court, were rejected, with the final plea being dismissed on April 4. On April 9, U.S. authorities formally handed over Rana to Indian officials.
On his arrival in India, Rana was produced before a Delhi court, which granted the NIA 20 days of custody. During this period, the agency will interrogate him to gather more information about the planning of the attacks, the extent of his involvement, and possible links to other international networks.
The extradition has been welcomed by Indian authorities as a significant diplomatic and legal victory. It also marks a step forward in seeking justice for the victims of one of the deadliest terror attacks in India’s history. The move reflects strengthened cooperation between India and the United States in combating terrorism.
Rana’s questioning is expected to shed new light on the 26/11 conspiracy and help unravel the broader transnational web involved in orchestrating the attacks. Authorities hope the latest developments will ultimately lead to the prosecution of all remaining perpetrators and masterminds still at large.
