US Supreme Court approves extradition of 26/11 Mumbai Attack suspect Tahawwur Rana

New Delhi: The US Supreme Court has given the green light for the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key figure linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, to India. This decision comes after Rana's legal team attempted to block the extradition by challenging the interpretation of "offense" in the US-India extradition treaty.

Legal Arguments Against Extradition

Earlier this month, Rana's attorney argued that the Supreme Court should intervene and prevent his extradition. The lawyer contended that the term "offense" in the double jeopardy clause of the extradition treaty should be interpreted as referring to the underlying conduct of the charges rather than the specific elements of the crimes charged by both nations.

Support from the US Government

In a significant development, the US government expressed its support for India's extradition request last year. They urged the Supreme Court to dismiss Rana's petition for a writ of certiorari, emphasizing that his extradition was warranted. On December 16, US Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar formally responded to Rana's appeal, advocating for its rejection.

Previous Legal Proceedings

Rana had previously sought to block his extradition through lower courts, including an appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco. In August, this court ruled that the India-US Extradition Treaty indeed permits Rana's extradition, reinforcing India's position in this high-profile case.

Connection to Mumbai Attacks

Tahawwur Rana is notably linked to David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American terrorist who played a pivotal role in orchestrating the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of 166 individuals, including six Americans, and involved a harrowing 60-hour siege across multiple locations in Mumbai.