US President Donald Trump announced that his administration had approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Modi, Trump stated, “I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and one of the most evil individuals linked to the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack to face justice in India.” He further emphasised, “He is going back to India to face justice.”
Modi welcomed the decision, thanking Trump for expediting the extradition process. “A perpetrator of the Mumbai terror attack is being extradited for interrogation and trial in India. I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to ensuring justice,” he said.
This announcement follows the US Supreme Court’s January 21 rejection of Rana’s review petition, clearing the path for his extradition.
The US State Department acknowledged the ruling, stating that the department was “evaluating next steps in this case” in accordance with US law.
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistani-origin businessman, is accused of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which claimed 166 lives, including six Americans.
He is linked to Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, a key conspirator in the attacks. Indian agencies are set to interrogate Rana upon his return, where he will face trial. He is also alleged to have ties with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
A 400-page charge sheet by Mumbai Police states that Rana visited India from November 11 to 21, 2008, spending two days at the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai’s Powai. The crime branch uncovered email exchanges between Rana and Headley, including a message where Headley inquired about the email ID of Major Iqbal, an ISI operative and a named accused in the 26/11 case.
Previously, Rana was prosecuted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He was convicted on charges of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in Denmark and providing material support to the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group.
