By The Sampadak Express
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key figure in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is finally on his way to India after being extradited from the United States following more than a decade of legal proceedings. A multi-agency Indian team is currently escorting him, with reports indicating that he is expected to arrive in India by Thursday afternoon.
The 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin is accused of assisting David Coleman Headley, his childhood friend and co-conspirator, in conducting reconnaissance for the 2008 attacks. The attacks, carried out by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), led to the deaths of 166 people, including six Americans, and lasted for nearly 60 hours.
What Will Happen When Rana Lands in India?
Upon his arrival, Rana is likely to be presented before a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Patiala House, Delhi.
Authorities hope that Rana’s questioning will reveal crucial information about the involvement of Pakistani state actors in the attacks. Following his interrogation, he is likely to be held in a high-security cell at Tihar Jail, where security measures have already been heightened.
India had previously assured US authorities of Rana’s safety, legal rights, and prison conditions—an essential factor in securing his extradition.
Rana’s Involvement in 26/11: From Visa Scams to Attack Planning
According to the charge sheet filed in 2011, Rana played a significant role in the planning of the 26/11 attacks. He is accused of facilitating Headley’s visa acquisition to India and establishing a Mumbai office, ‘Immigrant Law Centre’, to cover for reconnaissance activities. Rana was fully aware of Headley’s terror affiliations and actively supported his plans.
Between November 13 and 21, 2008, Rana accompanied his wife on a tour through multiple Indian cities, including Delhi, Agra, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. During this period, Headley made frequent calls to him. The two men also worked together to plan attacks on targets such as the Chabad Houses and the National Defence College, with Rana reportedly in communication with Major Iqbal, an alleged ISI officer and co-conspirator.
Legal Battle: From FBI Arrest to US Supreme Court Denial
Rana’s legal journey began in 2009 when the FBI arrested him in Chicago for supporting a failed LeT plot in Copenhagen. Although a US court acquitted him of direct involvement in the 26/11 attacks, he was convicted on other terrorism-related charges and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
India pursued his extradition for years, securing a Red Notice from Interpol and submitting multiple appeals. Rana fought against extradition through legal appeals, including two emergency stay applications this year, which were both rejected by the US Supreme Court. On April 7, the Court formally denied his final appeal, paving the way for his extradition to India.
What’s Next for the Investigation?
The NIA hopes Rana’s interrogation will provide further insights into the network of conspirators involved in the 26/11 attacks. This includes key figures like Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Sajid Mir, and Illyas Kashmiri, all of whom are allegedly linked to Pakistan’s ISI.
The NIA has issued non-bailable warrants for absconding accused individuals and sent letters rogatory to Pakistan, although no response has been received. The agency has consolidated legal records from multiple cities, with a single court handling the prosecution to expedite the trial.
The Significance of Rana’s Extradition
Rana’s extradition is a significant development in the ongoing fight for justice in the 26/11 case, which saw limited closure with the execution of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman. With Rana in custody, there is hope that India will uncover more details about the links between Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistani military-intelligence agencies, potentially putting diplomatic and legal pressure on Islamabad.
As the investigation progresses, the return of Tahawwur Rana has sparked renewed hope that the long-delayed justice for the victims of the 26/11 attacks may finally be within reach.
