In a significant development, US Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Chooljian of the US District Court of the Central District of California has issued a 48-page order approving the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-origin terror convict, to India. The extradition is a major victory for India’s ongoing efforts to bring the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to justice.
The order states that Rana “should be extradited to India” under the extradition treaty between India and the US. It highlights Rana’s association with David Coleman Headley, a friend and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist involved in the Mumbai attacks. Shockingly, Rana was reportedly “very relaxed” in the aftermath of the attacks, and he even suggested that the LeT terrorists responsible for the carnage should receive Pakistan’s highest military honor, Nishan-e-Haider.
The court order reveals that Rana was in direct contact with Headley and maintained communication with some of Headley’s contacts in Pakistan. Rana’s involvement in the planning and execution of the Mumbai attacks is evident through his knowledge of the surveillance activities conducted by Headley on prominent targets in India, including Chabad Houses and the National Defence College (NDC).
During a conversation in September 2009, Rana and Headley discussed targeting the NDC, acknowledging that such an attack would result in the loss of high-ranking Indian military officials. Rana even set up an email account for Headley to facilitate secure communication and transferred a list of Chabad houses in India, including those to be surveilled.
The court’s decision to certify Rana’s extradition is based on the existence of probable cause to believe that he committed the offenses for which extradition is sought. This ruling strengthens India’s case against Rana and paves the way for his trial in Indian courts.
India had filed a complaint seeking Rana’s provisional arrest for extradition in June 2020, and the Biden Administration has supported and approved the extradition request. The decision reflects the continued cooperation between the United States and India in combatting terrorism and ensuring justice for the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
As the extradition process moves forward, the order serves as a crucial step toward holding accountable those responsible for one of the deadliest terror attacks in India’s history. It is a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice and the determination to bring closure to the victims and their families affected by the tragic events of November 2008.