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Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is being flown to India in a special aircraft after exhausting all legal avenues in the United States, sources have confirmed. The plane is expected to make a stop for refuelling before it arrives in India either later tonight or early tomorrow.
This development follows the US Supreme Court’s rejection of Rana’s petition to block his extradition to India. On Monday, the court issued an order denying his request for a stay, stating, “The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied.” A similar request had been denied by the court in March as well.
Rana, who had claimed serious health issues, including an abdominal aortic aneurysm at risk of rupture, Parkinson’s disease with cognitive decline, and a suspected bladder cancer, argued that he would not survive long enough to face trial in India. He also expressed concerns about being targeted in India due to national, religious, and cultural animosity.
In February, during a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was announced that Rana would be held accountable for his role in the Mumbai attacks in India. Rana is a close associate of Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the principal conspirators behind the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. Rana, a Pakistani-origin businessman and physician, is believed to have ties with the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Although a US jury acquitted Rana of providing material support for the 2008 attacks, he was found guilty on two other charges and sentenced to over 10 years in prison. After his health deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was released from jail. However, he was rearrested for extradition to India and fought the process legally, but ultimately ran out of options.
With the Supreme Court’s decision, Rana is now on his way to face justice in India for his alleged role in the devastating terrorist attacks.
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