Trump nod to deport 26/11 attack accused: Why Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India is significant

26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana

After his bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump has approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana who is accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

“We are giving a very violent man (Tahawwur Rana) back to India immediately. There is more to follow because we have quite a few requests. We work with India on crime, and we want to make things better for India," said Trump.

In response, PM Modi thanked President Trump for confirming his extradition. "A perpetrator of the Mumbai terror attack is being extradited for his interrogation and trial in India. I thank President Trump for expediting the process,” said the PM.

On January 21, the US Supreme Court rejected Tahawwur Rana's review petition paving way for his extradition to India.

Who is Tahawwur Rana?

Tahawwur Hussain Rana was born in Chichawatni which lies in the Punjab Province of Pakistan in 1961. A physician by profession, Rana served as a Captain, General Duty practitioner in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps. Rana and his wife, who is also a physician, immigrated to Canada in 1997, and obtained Canadian citizenship in June 2001. According to PTI, he lived primarily in Chicago and owns several businesses there, including an immigration service agency, First World Immigration Services, with offices in Chicago, New York and Toronto.

What are the charges against Rana?

Rana is wanted in India for his alleged role in facilitating the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. His extradition has been a long-pending demand from India.

It alleged that Rana helped produce a blueprint that was used by the attackers to plan their assault. Rana's co-conspirators included, among others, David Coleman Headley. Headley pleaded guilty and cooperated against Rana.

Rana is also accused of having close links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The Mumbai police chargesheet stated that Rana came to India on November 11, 2008, and stayed in the country till November 21. He spent two of these days at the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai's Powai.

He was arrested by the FBI in 2009. At the time of his arrest, he was operating a travel agency in Chicago, where he had been working alongside Headley.

In 2011, Rana was acquitted by a US court on charges of abetting the Mumbai terror attacks but was convicted of providing material support to the Lashkar-e-Taiba and helping a terror plot in Denmark.

Why does his extradition to India matter?

Rana’s extradition to India would represent a significant step in ensuring justice for the victims of the 26/11 attacks. His extradition does not only highlight the strong ties between India and the USA. It also underscores the importance of international legal cooperation in combating terrorism.

The extradition also marks a pivotal moment in the fight against terrorism as it demonstrates the global commitment to bringing perpetrators to justice.

It also may be recalled as the Gujarat Chief Minister, Modi had publicly criticised Rana’s acquittal in 2011. “What is the basis on which the Chicago court has dared to acquit terrorists involved in the deadly 26/11 attack? Who investigated the matter? Who will now ensure justice for the victims here? America has done this to please Pakistan and has executed this conspiracy jointly,” Modi had said.

What is next for Rana?

According to News18, the legal documents and warrants have been issued and shared with the US authorities. “Now that a political decision has been taken, the two sides will work out the modalities of date and time. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is in touch with its American counterpart to finalise the date. A team of NIA officials is likely to visit the USA as soon as the MEA clearance is received," government insiders told MEA.

In India, Rana is likely to be lodged in Tihar jail initially. He will then be produced in a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court, after which the probe agency will likely seek his custody for questioning.