Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is set to be extradited to India from the United States. Media reports indicate that Rana, currently detained in Los Angeles, is being transported on a special plane following the US Supreme Court’s rejection of his plea to block extradition on April 7, 2025. This decision marks the end of a long legal battle, with Rana exhausting all options to avoid facing trial in India for his alleged role in the 26/11 attacks that killed 174 people and injured over 300.
Background of the 26/11 involvement
Rana, a former Pakistan Army doctor turned businessman, is accused of assisting David Coleman Headley, a key conspirator in the Mumbai attacks. Media reports state that Rana provided Headley with logistical support, including fake identities through his Chicago-based immigration consultancy, enabling reconnaissance trips to Mumbai.
The attacks, executed by 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists over 60 hours, targeted iconic locations like the Taj Mahal Hotel and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Rana was arrested by the FBI in 2009 alongside Headley, who later testified against him.
Legal proceedings in the US
In the US, Rana faced trial in 2011 and was convicted of providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba and plotting an attack on a Danish newspaper. However, he was acquitted of direct involvement in the Mumbai attacks. Media reports highlight that India sought his extradition in 2020, leading to a series of court battles.
After serving a 14-year sentence, reduced by compassionate release in 2020 due to COVID-19, Rana lost his final appeal when the US Supreme Court denied his petition in April 2025, clearing the way for his transfer.
Arrival and trial in India
Media reports confirm that Rana is expected to land in India by April 10, 2025, where the National Investigation Agency will take custody. He faces charges of criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and murder related to the 26/11 attacks. This extradition follows high-level talks between Indian and US officials, with the Trump administration approving the move earlier in 2025, reinforcing bilateral efforts against terrorism.
