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End of Legal Road: Tahawwur Rana Set for Extradition to India – US-India Cooperation Seals Rana’s Fate in Mumbai Terror Case

 

The US Supreme Court denied Tahawwur Rana's plea against his extradition to India where he is charged with his participation in the 2008 Mumbai attack. Brought up in Canada, of Pakistani origin, Rana had applied for an emergency stay on the grounds of his health issues and possible torture.

 

A Final Rift Resolution

 

The decision marks a significant milestone in India's long-span quest to bring Rana to justice. Last month, the US approved his extradition even while Rana's legal team had claimed that he would be falling into extreme danger on return. The Supreme Court has cleared the way for transfer to Indian authorities.

Rana is accused of providing logistics support to the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and helped associate David Coleman Headley for site scoping for the brutal attacks in Mumbai in 2008. The death toll from the coordinated attack on Mumbai exceeds 174 and heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.

 

Pleadings of Law and Approved Extradition

 

Defense attorneys used the United Nations Convention Against Torture, UNCAT, in arguing that extradition would be contrary to international law because of possible mistreatment. Other cited misfortunes of his health included chronic conditions of the heart and Parkinson's disease.

Even so, the courts of the US favored extradition. In a statement, a senior official from the US confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had authorized the transfer. Indian authorities have been investigating Rana's role in helping Headley and believe that his extradition would be crucial to uncovering further networks related to the attacks.

 

India Prepares for Rana's Arrival

 

NIA has welcomed the judgment as a boon to unravel the conspiracy of the 26/11 terrorist attack. According to a senior official from NIA, "We are waiting to be enlightened about the role of key masterminds based in Pakistan."

US officials reaffirmed their commitment to fight persisting terrorism with India. The State Department signed the warrant for the surrender, which brought the end of the road in Los Angeles for Rana under expected soon to be tied to Indian custody.

 

Last Ditch Attempt by Rana Fails

 

Rana's lawyers did try their best over the month with appeals founded on earlier refusals of extradition, including that of the UK to extradite Sanjay Bhandari due to torture concerns. Such efforts were however brushed away by US authorities citing that India has assured a fair trial.

In the judgment by the Supreme Court, it appears that all possible legal avenues have come to an end. The Indian government is ready to finally take the much-awaited extradition. This is a significant step towards justice for the Mumbai attacks' victims.