26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana has asked the US Supreme Court to stop his extradition to India, fearing torture. He said that being a Muslim of Pakistani origin, he could face ill-treatment. Rana claims that sending him to India would put his life in danger. His request aims to stop the process, raising human rights issues.
In a final effort to avoid extradition to India, Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the Mumbai terror attacks, has filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court.
In documents , Rana expressed concerns about the high likelihood of torture in India due to his status as a Muslim of Pakistani origin. Currently 63 years old, Rana is incarcerated in a Los Angeles jail and is known for his connections to David Headley, a key conspirator in the Mumbai attacks that claimed 166 lives.
In his petition, Rana asserted that he suffers from multiple health issues, including an advanced cardiac aneurysm, Parkinson’s disease with cognitive decline, and potential bladder cancer. His legal team contended that he might not survive long enough to stand trial.
Rana’s lawyers argued against sending him into a “hornets’ nest,” where he would be viewed as a “target of national, religious, and cultural animosity.” The application referenced a 2023 Human Rights Watch report that claimed systematic discrimination and stigmatization of religious minorities, particularly Muslims, under the BJP-led government in India.
The Indian government has dismissed the report as baseless. The application further argued that the Indian government is becoming “increasingly autocratic,” which would jeopardize Rana’s right to a fair trial.
On January 21, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a review petition submitted by Rana. Last month, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S., President Donald Trump announced that his administration had approved Rana’s extradition, labeling him as “very evil.”
Government sources informed that all necessary legal documents have been shared with U.S. authorities, and a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to travel to the U.S. once clearance is obtained. The NIA had filed a chargesheet in 2011 against nine individuals, including Rana, for their roles in planning and executing the Mumbai terror attacks.
Previously, Rana was prosecuted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and charged with:
- Count 11: Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in Denmark
- Count 12: Providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
India has charged Rana with conspiracy to commit multiple offenses, including:
- Waging war against the country
- Murder
- Forgery
- Committing terrorist acts
With the US courts rejecting all of Rana’s appeals, his extradition to India is now imminent. The recall of trial records by the Patiala House Court signals that Indian authorities are preparing to prosecute him in Delhi.
This is an important step in India’s ongoing effort to get justice for the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.