Amid rumors that Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a major suspect in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, would soon be extradited, Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Tapan Deka, the director of the Intelligence Bureau, were also present at the meeting. Given the circumstances and timing, it is thought that Rana’s extradition was a major topic of conversation, even though the details of the conversation were not made public.
After exhausting all legal options in the United States, Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani descent, is anticipated to be extradited to India shortly.
To help with his return, a multi-agency team from the Indian government is presently in the United States. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will initially be in charge of Rana’s custody and will take care of the required legal procedures.
Rana was cleared of charges connected to the Mumbai attacks, but he was previously found guilty in the United States of aiding a failed attempt to attack a Danish newspaper and giving material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
His extradition to India may offer vital information about how Pakistani state actors were involved in the 2008 attacks, which killed 166 people, including Americans, Britons, and Israelis.
There is ample evidence linking Rana to David Coleman Headley, a key conspirator in the Mumbai attacks. Rana is accused of helping to organize attacks on other places and participating in reconnaissance for possible targets in Mumbai.
In India’s quest to determine the full scope of Pakistan’s involvement in the attacks, his extradition is regarded as a critical step.
Once in India, the purpose of Rana’s prior trips to different places, such as Hapur, Agra, Delhi, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai, will be examined. The extradition comes after Rana’s appeal was denied by the US Supreme Court, which opened the door for him to be tried in India. It is anticipated that this development will provide fresh insight into the Mumbai terror attack investigation.
