US court rejects Tahawwur Rana’s extradition stay.
Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, has been fighting extradition after being charged in India for his alleged role in the deadly 2008 attacks that claimed 166 lives.
With this rejection, Rana’s legal options in the U.S. have significantly narrowed, bringing India one step closer to securing his extradition. The decision follows previous rulings by lower courts that upheld India’s request under the India-U.S. extradition treaty.
Indian authorities have welcomed the verdict, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11. Rana is expected to be transferred to Indian custody soon, pending final procedural formalities.
Washington, D.C. – The United States Supreme Court has rejected an “emergency application” filed by Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, opposing his extradition to India. The 64-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin had claimed that he would face torture in India due to his Muslim and Pakistani background. He also cited severe medical conditions, arguing that extradition to Indian detention facilities would amount to a “de facto death sentence.”
This decision marks a significant step toward Rana’s transfer to Indian custody, as he has exhausted nearly all legal avenues to block his extradition. Indian authorities have been pursuing Rana for years due to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which left 166 people dead and hundreds injured.
Rana’s Plea for Emergency Stay
His plea included multiple claims, primarily focusing on his health and fears of mistreatment in India.
According to his legal team, Rana has multiple acute and life-threatening medical conditions, as documented in his medical records from July 2024. These include:
- Multiple documented heart attacks
- Parkinson’s disease with cognitive decline
- Stage 3 chronic kidney disease
His lawyers argued that these conditions make him extremely vulnerable and that extradition to India, where prison facilities are allegedly inadequate for someone in his state, would be equivalent to a death sentence.
However, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his request, clearing the way for his extradition, which India has been seeking under the India-U.S. Extradition Treaty.
Rana’s Connection to the 26/11 Attacks
Tahawwur Rana is closely linked to David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American terrorist and one of the main conspirators behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The attacks, which started on November 26, 2008, saw terrorists from the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba targeting eight locations across south Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Oberoi Trident Hotel, and Nariman House.
The carnage lasted until November 29, when Indian security forces eliminated all but one of the attackers, Ajmal Kasab, who was later captured, convicted, and executed in 2012.
Investigators found that Rana had provided material support to David Headley, helping him secure a visa for multiple reconnaissance trips to Mumbai before the attack. Headley, who later cooperated with U.S. authorities, testified against Rana, leading to his conviction in 2011 in the U.S. for aiding the Lashkar-e-Taiba’s operations. However, Rana was acquitted of direct involvement in the Mumbai attacks at that time.
India’s Long Battle for Extradition
For years, Indian authorities have been pushing for Rana’s extradition, arguing that he played a crucial role in facilitating the attacks. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been preparing to take custody of Rana to prosecute him in Indian courts.
In 2020, the United States agreed to extradite him, following an official request from India. Since then, Rana has been using legal maneuvers to delay the process. He first filed for protection under the U.S. Extradition Act, claiming that he would not receive a fair trial in India. That argument was rejected by a U.S. federal court.
Legal Battle Nearing Conclusion
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected his emergency stay request, Rana has very limited options left. The U.S. State Department is expected to move forward with the final procedures for his extradition.
Indian officials have welcomed the verdict, seeing it as a major victory in their long fight to bring Rana to justice. The NIA has been making arrangements for his extradition and plans to charge him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Indian Penal Code (IPC), and other anti-terror laws.
International Reactions and Future Implications
The rejection of Rana’s appeal sends a strong message about international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. It also reinforces the commitment of both India and the U.S. to ensure that perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks are held accountable.
While his extradition is now imminent, legal experts note that Rana may still try one last appeal to the U.S. executive branch, arguing for humanitarian relief based on his medical conditions. However, given the Supreme Court’s rejection, his chances of avoiding extradition remain slim.
For the families of 26/11 victims, this is a long-awaited step toward justice. If Rana is extradited, it would mark a historic moment, as he would be one of the highest-profile foreign nationals tried in India for terrorism-related charges.
What Happens Next?
- Final clearance from U.S. authorities for his extradition.
- Indian officials to formally take custody and bring him to India.
- Trial proceedings to begin under the NIA once he arrives.
With Tahawwur Rana’s extradition now all but certain, India moves closer to holding another key conspirator accountable for one of its darkest days in history.