The US Supreme Court has denied 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana’s plea to put a stay on his extradition to India. This brings him one step closer to being extradited to Indian authorities to face justice. Indian officials have charged Rana for playing a major role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. They accuse Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, of helping David Headley scout targets for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operation.
What Supreme Court Said
An order on the Supreme Court website noted that Rana’s renewed application has been “distributed for Conference of 4/4/2025” and “application” has been “referred to the Court.” On Monday, a notice on the Supreme Court website said, “Application denied by the Court.”
Rana had submitted an “Emergency Application For Stay Pending Litigation of Petition For Writ of Habeas Corpus” on February 27, with Elena Kagan, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the US and Circuit Justice for the Ninth Circuit. Earlier last month, the judge had denied the application.
Charges Against Mumbai Terror Attack Accused Rana
The 26/11 terror attacks accused alleged that his extradition to India would likely lead to his torture, given his status as a Pakistani-origin Muslim individual. India has been seeking his extradition in connection with the 26/11 attack. Authorities allege that Rana assisted his associate David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Gilani. Gilani holds US citizenship through his American mother and Pakistani father. US authorities apprehended Headley in October 2009.
Authorities accuse Rana of actively supporting Headley by giving him false credentials, which allowed Headley to travel to India and scout potential targets for LeT’s 2008 operation.
US President Donald Trump On Rana’s Extradition
During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House in February this year, President Donald Trump had announced that his administration has approved the extradition of “very evil” Rana, wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, “to face justice in India”.
“I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and one of the very evil people of the world, having to do with the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack to face justice in India. So he is going to be going back to India to face justice,” US President Donald Trump had said.
