In February 2025, President Donald Trump of the United States declared the authorization of Rana’s extradition to India, describing him as “one of the conspirators and one of the most malevolent individuals in the world.”
On Monday, April 7, the US Supreme Court dealt a significant blow to Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani descent, by dismissing his appeal against extradition to India.
Rana is sought by Indian authorities for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
At 64 years old, he is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles.
On February 27, he filed an “Emergency Application For Stay Pending Litigation of Petition For Writ of Habeas Corpus,” which was rejected by Justice Elena Kagan, the Circuit Justice for the Ninth Circuit, last month.
Following the denial of his initial request, Rana submitted an urgent appeal for reconsideration by Chief Justice John Roberts. The Supreme Court included this renewed appeal in its April 4 conference agenda and forwarded it to the full bench for evaluation.
However, on Monday, the Supreme Court issued a brief update stating: “Application denied by the Court.”
This decision removes a significant legal obstacle in the United States, bringing Rana closer to extradition to India, which has been advocating for this action for an extended period.
In February 2025, US President Donald Trump announced the approval of Rana’s extradition to India, labeling him as “one of the plotters and one of the very evil people of the world.”
During a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump stated, “Tahawwur Rana will be going back to India, where he will face justice.”
Rana is mentioned in the Mumbai Police’s extensive 405-page chargesheet concerning the 26/11 terror attacks. He is accused of collaborating with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, and the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The chargesheet alleges that Rana assisted David Coleman Headley, who conducted reconnaissance for the Mumbai attacks, by surveying critical locations and entry points, with Rana reportedly providing support during this planning stage.
Less than a year following the attacks, the FBI apprehended Rana in Chicago. At that time, he was operating a travel agency alongside Headley. Authorities suspect that the Pakistani terrorists responsible for the attacks adhered to a plan that Rana assisted in developing.
