Tahawwur Rana brought back: Tracking India’s extradition scorecard of wins and misses

File photo of a painting made by students of Gurukul Art School on the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Rana from USA to India, at Lalbaug in Mumbai.

The extradition of Tahawwur Rana – a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks – from the United States to India, marks a significant breakthrough for India’s probe agencies and its diplomatic efforts. As per sources quoted by news agency PTI, Rana’s interrogation would help probe agencies expose the role of Pakistani state actors behind the dastardly act that claimed 166 lives.

This development, hailed as a significant victory for India's counter-terrorism efforts, brings into sharp focus the often arduous and complex process of extraditing fugitives to face justice on Indian soil.

While Rana's case marks a notable success, a look at India's extradition history reveals a landscape marked by both triumphs and persistent challenges.

Why Rana’s extradition matters

Rana’s extradition shows improved India-US cooperation on counterterrorism, an issue that has prominently emerged in discussions between the two countries, including the latest one when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Donald Trump during his US visit. It testifies the Trump administration’s willingness to back India’s concerns despite legal delays.

The extradition represents India’s persistent push for justice in the 26/11 case, even 16 years after the attacks. PTI quoted sources saying that his extradition from the US could provide important leads into his travels in parts of northern and southern India days before the carnage in 2008.

The central security officials had found that Rana had visited Hapur and Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Kochi in Kerala, Ahmedabad in Gujarat, and Mumbai in Maharashtra with his wife Samraz Rana Akhtar between November 13 and November 21, 2008.

READ MORE | Explained: How Tahawwur Rana is linked to 26/11 Mumbai attacks and what his extradition means for India

Tahawwur Rana’s testimony is expected to significantly bolster India’s longstanding case against Pakistan on the global stage, including at forums like the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), where New Delhi has consistently highlighted Islamabad’s role in sponsoring cross-border terrorism. His extradition and potential cooperation could provide direct evidence linking Pakistan-sponsored terrorist organisations to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, strengthening India’s diplomatic campaign for global recognition of Pakistan as a state that harbours and supports terrorist elements."

India’s extradition journey: Wins and challenges

India's extradition efforts are primarily governed by the Extradition Act of 1962. This act provides the legal framework for the extradition of fugitive criminals to and from India. To further facilitate this process, New Delhi has extradition treaties with as many as 48 countries and extradition arrangements with any 12 nations.

Government data presented to the Lok Sabha in December 2024 revealed that India had made 178 extradition requests to various countries in the preceding five years (since January 2019), but only 23 individuals were successfully extradited. This stark statistic underscores the considerable hurdles involved in the extradition process.

Let’s take a look at some of the major successful extraditions to India over the years:

Abu Salem (from Portugal, 2005):

Abu Salem – a close aide of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim – was extradited to India from Portugal on November 11, 2005. Accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, Salem was also involved in a series of other criminal activities including extortion and murder. He is currently serving life sentence at Nashik prison since then.

Earlier this year, he petitioned the Bombay High Court to be provided with an official release date. His petition argued that based on a Supreme Court ruling, he cannot be imprisoned for more than 25 years.

Christian Michel (from UAE, 2018)

Michel, the alleged middleman in the controversial AgustaWestland chopper deal, was extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in December 2018. Last month, he was granted bail by Delhi High Court in the money laundering case linked to the chopper deal. He has already been granted bail by the Supreme Court in the case being probed by the CBI.

His extradition was seen as a big win in India's efforts to trace the money trail and expose corruption in defence deals.

Ravi Pujari (from Senegal, 2020)

Underworld don Ravi Pujari was extradited from Senegal after years of hiding across Africa. Pujari was wanted in more than 200 cases including extortion and murder. His extradition was seen as a win against organized crime and underworld networks that operated from abroad with impunity.

Rajendra Nikalje a.k.a Chhota Rajan (from Indonesia, 2015)

Chhota Rajan’s arrest and extradition from Bali was a major breakthrough in India’s efforts to dismantle the D-Company's global network. Rajan, once Dawood Ibrahim's right-hand man turned rival, was involved in dozens of cases and has since been convicted in several of them.

India worked closely with Interpol and Indonesian authorities to ensure his swift extradition.

The delays continue

Goldy Brar: Based in Canada and designated a terrorist by India, wanted for multiple serious offenses including the murder of Sidhu Moosewala. India has issued a Red Corner Notice against him. While Canada has acknowledged India's request, the extradition process is likely to be lengthy and complex due to legal hurdles in Canada.

Anmol Bishnoi: The younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, he was detained in the US in November 2024 for traveling with fake documents. India has initiated extradition proceedings. However, there were reports in late 2024 suggesting he might seek political asylum in the US, which could significantly delay or complicate his extradition to India. His custody might also be prioritized for Canada first, as he had been residing there before entering the US illegally.

Vijay Mallya: The extradition of Mallya, wanted in India for substantial financial fraud related to the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines, remains a protracted legal saga. Despite Indian authorities' persistent efforts, and the UK courts having largely ruled in favor of extradition, Mallya's transfer to India has yet to occur. Legal complexities within the UK system, including ongoing legal challenges from Mallya's side, have caused significant delays.

Nirav Modi: The fugitive diamond merchant wanted in India for the multi-billion dollar Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, remains in a London prison. Despite losing his extradition battle in the UK courts up to the Supreme Court and the UK Home Secretary approving his extradition in April 2021, his transfer to India is currently stalled. This delay is reportedly due to a confidential legal matter, believed to be an asylum application in the UK, which is unlikely to conclude soon.

Warren Anderson: In 2011, India sought the extradition of Warren Anderson, the former Union Carbide CEO held responsible for the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy, but the US rejected the request. India and the US have had an extradition treaty in place since 1997, but securing extradition has often been a slow and complex process. However, his extradition process never fructified and he died in September 2014.

Rana’s case, however, gained momentum after the US Supreme Court rejected his final appeal in January, effectively clearing the way for his return to India.