Sources have revealed that a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to travel to the United States soon to finalize the extradition of Tahawwur Rana.1 Rana is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 166 people and injured hundreds more.2
This development follows the US Supreme Court's recent rejection of Rana's review petition challenging his extradition.3 This decision has removed a major legal obstacle, paving the way for Indian authorities to expedite his return to India to face trial.4
According to sources, a team comprising high-ranking NIA officers, including an Inspector General and a Deputy Inspector General, is likely to visit the US by the end of January.5 The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs have been informed of this planned visit.
Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian citizen, is accused of providing crucial logistical support to David Coleman Headley, the mastermind behind the 26/11 attacks.6 Rana, a former doctor and businessman, allegedly used his immigration business as a cover to assist Headley in traveling to India and conducting reconnaissance for the attacks.7
Arrested in Chicago in 2009, Rana was convicted in the US for supporting the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the terrorist organization responsible for the Mumbai attacks.8 However, he was acquitted of charges directly related to the attacks themselves.9
India has been actively seeking Rana's extradition to hold him accountable for his alleged role in the attacks.10 The NIA asserts that Rana's assistance to Headley makes him a key conspirator in the 26/11 plot.
With the US Supreme Court's decision, the extradition process has gained significant momentum. The NIA team's upcoming visit to the US underscores India's commitment to securing justice for the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks.
