Tahawwur Rana to reach India shortly: What awaits the 26/11 Mumbai attack accused once he lands

Rana is believed to be one of the closest associates of David Coleman Headley

Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is set to be extradited to India from the United States. According to reports, a multi-agency team will accompany him to India shortly in a special plane.

The move comes after New Delhi reportedly assured Washington about the safety and security of Rana, sources told CNN-News18. Rana had earlier cited his health conditions, including multiple heart attacks, Parkinson's disease, and other ailments, as reasons to oppose his extradition to India. He had also raised concerns about possible torture in custody and legal aid in India.

The US Supreme Court recently rejected Rana's last appeal, essentially clearing the way for his handover to Indian authorities.

What happens once Rana reaches India?

Upon landing in India, Rana is likely to be produced in the Patiala House special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court. NIA could seek custodial interrogation of the terror attack accused.

Security has been tightened in jails in both Delhi and Mumbai. He is likely to be questioned by the probe agency for several weeks. Reports state that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the Ministry of Home Affairs are closely monitoring the extradition process.

Who is Tahawwur Rana?

Rana was a doctor in the Pakistani army and is accused of being involved in the planning of the Mumbai attacks.  He is believed to be one of the closest associates of David Coleman Headley, who is one of the masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people.

Rana served as a doctor in the Pakistani army, reaching the rank of captain. In 1997, he left the military and moved to Canada with his wife. He obtained Canadian citizenship in 2001. However, he primarily lived in Chicago, where he ran his immigration business.

In Chicago, he reconnected with his old friend David Headley, who had received terrorist training in Lashkar-e-Taiba’s camps in Pakistan.

Headley testified before Indian investigators and revealed the entire conspiracy involving himself and Rana. In an American court, Headley was sentenced to 35 years in prison, but Rana was acquitted of charges related to the Mumbai attacks.

However, he was convicted for plotting the attack in Denmark and sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Meanwhile, Indian authorities arrested another accused, Abu Jundal. Headley was granted a pardon and turned into a government witness. Through video testimony, he recounted the entire attack plan in an Indian court, exposing Rana’s role. Headley’s testimony remains the strongest piece of evidence India has against Rana.

Following Headley’s revelations, India formally requested Rana’s extradition from the US under their bilateral treaty.