Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana to be extradited to India after US court order

Tahawur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian businessman wanted in India for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, may be extradited to India after a California court approved New Delhi's extradition request.

India filed the case on June 10, 2020, seeking the temporary detention of 62-year-old Rana with a view to his extradition. Rana's extradition to India was welcomed and supported by the Biden administration.

According to a May 16 order by Judge Jacqueline Chooljian of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Los Angeles, based on the above, the court concluded that 62-year-old Rana is extraditable for the crimes for which extradition was sought and on which the United States, as per reports.

"The Court has reviewed and considered all documents submitted in support of and in opposition to the Motion and considered the arguments presented at the hearing," Judge Jacqueline Chooljian, U.S. District Court Judge for the Central District of California, said in a 48-page court order dated May 16 that was made public May 17th.

“Based on this review and consideration, and for the reasons discussed herein, the court makes the findings below and CERTIFIES to the United States Secretary of State Rana's sufficiency for the charged offenses that are the subject of the request, the judge said.

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating his involvement in the 9/11 Lashkar-e-Taiba terror attacks in 2008. The 2008 Mumbai terror attacks claimed the lives of 166 people, six of whom were Americans. Ten Pakistani terrorists besieged Mumbai for more than 60 hours, attacking and killing important and iconic locations in Mumbai. Rana was detained in the US when India sought his extradition for his involvement in these attacks.

According to the NIA, all is set to begin the process of bringing him to India through diplomatic channels with the US government. Federal prosecutors alleged during the trial that Rana knew that his childhood friend, Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley, was associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and that by aiding Headley and providing cover for his activities, he aided terrorists.

According to reports, Rana was aware of Headley's meetings with terrorist associates and the planning of the attack, including some of the targets. According to the US authorities, Rana participated in the conspiracy and there is reasonable suspicion that he committed the actual crime of committing an act of terrorism.

On the other hand, Rana's lawyer contested the extradition.