The tale thus far: A US attorney told the Court of Appeals in a case brought by Rana against an order from a California district court that the Pakistani-Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana, who is believed to have played a major role in the Mumbai 2008 attacks, is extraditable under the clear terms of the India-US Extradition Treaty.
His petition for habeas corpus was turned down by The California Court which had accepted an American government request to repatriate those suspected of being involved with Mumbai attack on November 26-29, 2008.
Alden Bram, Assistant Attorney General and Chief of Criminal Appeals at US Attorneys Office stated during his closing argument before US Court of Appeals that “Rana IS Extraditable TO India under the plain provisions of the treaty. India has established probable cause for him to be prosecuted for terrorist activities that resulted in 166 deaths and 239 injuries.”
63-year old Rana has been imprisoned in Los Angeles since his U.S extradition was approved after he had been requested by Indian authorities. He faces several criminal charges following his involvement in Mumbai terror attacks.
In addition, he left no stone unturned when he assisted Pakistan-linked individuals including David Coleman Headley (actual name Daoud Gilani), one of its main organizers residing there, so as to enable Pakistan based terrorists Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harakat ul-Jihad-e-Islami to carry out the attacks in Mumbai.
Who is Tahawwur Rana?
Tahawwur Hussain Rana as a former army doctor in Pakistan. He went to Canada after studying in Pakistan where he became a businessman said to be specializing on Immigration Services. This was through his ownership of First World Immigration Services which had offices located all over Chicago among other places.
He also happens to have been schoolmates with David Headley who turned out into a terrorist; who also lives in Chicago but of U.S. and Pakistani descent. This individual is serving 35 years’ imprisonment in America after being found guilty of plotting the 2008 Mumbai strikes.
Rana has been wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for being a suspect in November 26, 2008 attack when 10 Pakistani terrorists laid an over three-day siege to various iconic locations in downtown Mumbai including Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Taj Mahal Hotel, Nariman House and Cama Albless Hospital killing at least 166 persons which included six Americans were killed during that horrifying incident.
What was Rana’s alleged role in the 26/11 attacks?
It is claimed that Rana provided LeT with a blueprint for executing the Mumbai plot. In this regard, he stands charged under several Indian Penal Code offenses like criminal conspiracy; war against Government of India or an attempt thereof; murder; forgery for purpose of cheating and so on.
Another charge against him is his involvement in a conspiracy to attack National Defence College as well as plotting to bomb Chabad House – Jewish outreach centre located within Mumbai city. It was also reported that he took part in planning an assault on a Danish newspaper together with Mr Headley.
Before the Mumbai attacks, it was alleged that Rana had helped his longtime associate Headley obtain multi-entry business visa to India through Raymond Sanders who operated an immigrant law center based in Chicago.
In a charge sheet filed against Rana at the inception of investigation, Mumbai police said that he arrived in India on November 11, 2008 and stayed until November 21.
During a cross examination before a special court in Mumbai in March 2016, Headley said Rana knew he was acting as spy and did not oppose his association with LeT or participating in the attacks. According to reports Rana had helped Headley open a branch of First World Immigration Services in Mumbai in 2006 which served as a cover for reconnaissance of targets attacked on November 26, 2008.
The court heard that Headley visited the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre at the instance of Major Iqbal (Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence) to recruit people for the attacks and Rana was aware of this. These two were also privy to details of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel attack such as its second floor because they had extensively deliberated over target locations.
Rana had also reportedly given money to Headley when he was doing recce in Mumbai ($500 or ₹22,500) September 2006, ₹67,605 ($3000) October 2006, ₹17,636 ($250) November that year and $1,000 (₹45,000) December same year.
Rana’s extradition
India submitted a diplomatic note for the extradition of Rana to U.S.A on December 4th 2019 while on June 10th 2020 they filed an application seeking provisional arrest of Mr. Rana for purposes of his extradition. In addition; Biden Administration supported and approved his extradition to India. The two countries are parties to an Extradition Treaty signed between them way back in 1997.
Rana was re-arrested by US authorities following India’s request for his extradition filed in June last year. Previously-he’ been held by federal authorities in Chicago after being taken into custody on October 18, 2008 with respect to attack planned in Denmark. He had been released briefly in 2020 on health grounds as he told a US Court that he tested positive for Covid-19.
On May 16, 2023, U.S. New Zealand (District) Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court Central District of California ruled in favour of India’s request for extradition to India as per a 48-page order by Judge Jacqueline Chooljian.
