The US Supreme Court has allowed the extradition of India to Tehwwur Rana, convicted of the Mumbai attack. The court dismissed a review petition against his conviction in the case. India had been demanding extradition of Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani -origin for many years. Rana is convicted in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack case.
This was Rana had the last legal chance to avoid extradition of India
This was the last legal chance to avoid extradition to India. He had earlier lost a legal battle in several federal courts including the US Appeal Court. On 13 November, Rana filed before the US Supreme Court “Petition for Cartiari’s writ”. The Supreme Court rejected it on 21 January, a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as US President. The Supreme Court said that the petition has been dismissed. Rana is currently in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.
Rana appealed on this basis
Rana argued that he was prosecuted and acquitted in a federal court of Illinois (Chicago) on allegations related to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. India also demanded his extradition on the same allegations, the allegations on which the Chicago court acquitted Rana. However, the American Solicitor General said that the government does not believe that the conduct for which India is demanding extradition comes under the purview of the case. Tahwwur Rana has lost a legal battle in several federal courts including lower courts and US appeal courts. Now he must have filed a new application and made his last attempt to stop his extradition.
The US government also appealed to the Supreme Court to dismiss Rana’s plea.
The US government is also ready for Rana’s extradition and on December 16, American Solicitor General Elizabeth B.K. Prelogger appealed to the Supreme Court to dismiss Rana’s plea. Rana’s lawyer challenged the recommendation of the US government and urged the Supreme Court to accept his writ. Rana’s petition will be heard on 17 January. Rana is currently lodged in Los Angeles jail.
Rana was associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attack. A total of 166 people including six Americans were killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. In this attack, 10 Pakistani terrorists attacked important places in Mumbai for more than 60 hours and killed people.
