Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is likely to arrive in India on Thursday via a special aircraft after the United States cleared the final legal barriers to his extradition, said sources aware of the matter.
The 64-year-old Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin had been in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles. A multi-agency Indian team has already reached the US, coordinating closely with American officials to finalize documentation and legal formalities.
Rana’s last legal attempt to block his transfer was rejected by the US Supreme Court, ending his efforts to avoid facing trial in India.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “Yes, the US Supreme Court has rejected his plea. As for his extradition, we’ll share updates when appropriate.”
Rana is known to have ties with David Coleman Headley, a key planner of the 2008 attacks in Mumbai where 10 Pakistani terrorists unleashed terror at multiple locations, including luxury hotels and a railway station, killing 166 people over 60 chilling hours.
Ajmal Amir Kasab, the sole attacker caught alive, was executed in Pune’s Yerawada Jail in 2012.
Earlier, during a joint press meet with PM Modi, former US President Donald Trump had referred to Rana as a “very evil” man and supported his extradition.
Rana had argued his extradition would violate US law and international conventions against torture, but the top court dismissed his appeal.
