US Supreme Court approves extradition of Tahawwur Rana

New Delhi, Jan 25: The United States Supreme Court on Saturday cleared 2008 Mumbai terror attack convict Tahawwur Hussain Rana’s extradition to India.

The US Court rejected the last legal challenge of the Pakistani-Canadian national, Tahawwur Rana, clearing the way for his extradition to India.

New Delhi has pursued his extradition for more than a decade, hoping to prosecute him for his involvement in the 2008 series of Mumbai terror attacks that left 166 people dead, including six American citizens.

“The Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the attacks,” a doctor living in Mumbai said.

Rana, a former doctor in the Pakistan Army, moved to Canada in the 1990s and later to the United States, where he established First World Immigration Services in Chicago.

His immigration consultancy, prosecutors argue, served as a cover for reconnaissance activities conducted by his longtime friend David Headley, one of the key plotters of the Mumbai attacks.

Headley, an American citizen of Pakistani origin, scouted potential targets in Mumbai under the guise of business activities, allegedly with Rana’s assistance.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has long sought Rana’s extradition, presenting detailed evidence that ties him to the Mumbai plotters, including Headley and Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Hafiz Saeed.

The NIA alleges that Rana knowingly facilitated Headley’s reconnaissance missions by providing logistical support and a business cover that allowed him to operate in Mumbai undetected.

The 26/11 Mumbai attacks, often compared to 9/11 for their scale and impact, remain a painful chapter in the country’s recent history. New Delhi has repeatedly accused Pakistan of harbouring and supporting terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Rana’s legal team has argued that he was unwittingly duped by Headley and had no knowledge of the true nature of his friend’s activities. Despite their defence, US courts have remained unconvinced.

As Rana sits in a Los Angeles detention facility awaiting his extradition, India is preparing for what could be a landmark trial. His prosecution could bring further light on the intricate planning behind the attacks and potentially expose the wider network of actors involved.

The extradition also highlights the deepening counterterrorism cooperation between the United States and India. Washington has long supported India’s efforts to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.