26/11 Mumbai attack Accused to be Extradited to India, US Court gives consent

US has given permission to extradite Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana to India. Rana was involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. A California court has given permission for his extradition to India. The Government of India had requested for extradition of Rana.

India filed a complaint seeking Rana’s provisional arrest for extradition in June 2020. The Biden administration also supported it and accepted India’s request. District Court Judge Jacqueline Chuljian, in a 48-page order dated May 16, said the court has reviewed all documents submitted in support and opposition to the request.

Judge Jacqueline Chooljian of US District Court in Central District of Los Angeles in the order dated May 16 said that based on the foregoing, the Court concludes that 62-year-old Rana is extraditable for the offences for which extradition has been requested and on which the United States is proceeding. Rana’s role in the serial attacks in Mumbai on 26 November 2008 was revealed. Hence, following the request from India for his extradition, he was arrested in US.

During the hearing, Rana’s lawyer opposed the extradition and said that there is an extradition treaty between India and America. While pronouncing the verdict, the judge said that Rana’s extradition to India is fully within the jurisdiction of the treaty. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said that it is ready to initiate the process of extraditing Rana to India through diplomatic channels. The NIA is probing Rana’s role in the 26/11 attacks by Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists.

The attack over Mumbai is considered to be one of the biggest attacks on India. A total of 166 people, including six Americans, were killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Whereas over 300 people were injured. After the investigation on Mumbai attacks, it was found that 10 Pakistani terrorists had entered Mumbai by boat from Karachi. There were four Indian passengers on this boat, who were put to death on reaching the shore. Investigation revealed that the terrorists had landed at Cuffe Parade fish market near Colaba around 8 pm. The terrorists laid a more than 60-hour siege, attacking and killing people at iconic and vital locations of Mumbai.