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U.S. Supreme Court Approves Extradition of 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana to India
The U.S. Supreme Court has approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, to India for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Rana is accused of collaborating with David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American terrorist and key conspirator in the attacks that resulted in 166 fatalities, including six Americans, and involved a 60-hour siege at multiple locations in Mumbai.
Rana’s legal team had petitioned the Supreme Court to block his extradition, arguing that it would violate the double jeopardy clause of the U.S.-India extradition treaty. They contended that the term “offense” in the treaty should be interpreted based on the conduct underlying the charges in both countries, rather than the specific legal elements of the crimes charged.
The U.S. government supported India’s extradition request, urging the Supreme Court to dismiss Rana’s petition. In August 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the extradition treaty permits Rana’s extradition, leading to his appeal to the Supreme Court.
Rana, currently held in a Los Angeles detention facility, has previously faced legal proceedings in the United States. In 2011, he was convicted of providing material support to the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba and for his role in a plot to attack a Danish newspaper. However, he was acquitted of charges related to the Mumbai attacks during that trial.
The approval of Rana’s extradition marks a significant development in the pursuit of justice for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Indian authorities have been seeking his extradition to hold him accountable for his alleged involvement in the planning and execution of the attacks. The decision underscores the collaborative efforts between the United States and India in addressing international terrorism and ensuring that individuals accused of such heinous acts are brought to justice.