Mumbai terror accused Tahawwur Rana loses last legal battle in US, apex court clears extradition to India

Rana, who is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Mumbai: In a significant development vis-a-vis the 26/11 fidayeen attacks in Mumbai, Pakistani-Canadian national Dr Tahawwur Hussain Rana’s extradition to India has been cleared by the United States’ Supreme Court.

The development takes place around a decade after David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, the Pakistani-American - following a pardon became an approver and deposed before a Mumbai special court via video-conferencing and provided significant evidence involving the 26-29 November, 2008 attacks.

"Petition denied," the Supreme Court said rejecting Rana’s new petition - which was the last legal challenge against his extradition to India.

The US’ SC order came on January 21, a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as the new American President.

Earlier, Rana lost legal battles in several federal courts, including the US Court of Appeals for the North Circuit in San Francisco.

Rana is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.

Rana and Headley, who were batch-mates at Cadet College Hasan Abdal in Punjab Province of Pakistan in their younger days, had played a key role in the 26/11 attacks conspiracy.

Veteran lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, who was the Special Public Prosecutor having represented the Mumbai police before the special court, welcomed the development.

“The extradition of Rana could lead to more information the involvement of Pakistani people from its security apparatus,” Nikam said, describing the development as a big success for the Indian government and security agencies.

“During his deposition, Headley has given such revelation and evidence in Mumbai court and also produced the email correspondence showing the links between Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistan ISI officers. I am very optimistic that the extradition of Tahawwur Rana will give more evidence about the involvement of some of the security apparatus of Pakistan,” said Nikam.

Dr Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian resident of Chicago, who is an immigration service businessman and a former military physician was initially held for plotting an attack on the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten was the publishing of a series of cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammed during 2005-2006 which infuriated the Islamic world.

Early 2006, Headley and two Lashkar members discussed opening an immigration office in Mumbai as a cover for his surveillance activities.

Later, Dr Rana helped Headley in making multiple trips to India in 2007-2008, when he conducted recces for the prominent sites to be targeted during the 26/11 Mumbai mayhem.

Headley eventually made five extended trips to Mumbai—in September 2006, February and September 2007, and April and July 2008—each time making videotapes of various potential targets, including those attacked in November 2008. Before each trip, Lashkar members and associates instructed Headley regarding specific locations where he was to conduct surveillance. After each trip, Headley traveled to Pakistan to meet with Lashkar members and associates, report on the results of his surveillance, and provide the surveillance videos.

The November 26-29, 2008 fidayeen attacks in Mumbai – nearly 60 hours – exposed the intelligence and security apparatus that was in place.

Ten Pakistani boys, carrying Kalashnikov rifles, grenades and bombs, sailed from Karachi, traversed through the Arabian Sea, reached the shores of Mumbai and launched the multiple attacks, killing 166 persons and injuring around 300. Among the victims were policemen and NSG commandos.

The places targetted include the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi-Trident Hotel, Chabad House.

One of the fidayeens, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist to be caught, faced trial and was hanged till death on November 21, 2012.