US Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Chooljian of the US District Court of the Central District of California has issued an order stating that Pakistani-origin terror convict Tahawwur Rana should be extradited to India under the extradition treaty between India and the US. Rana, who was involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, was described as being “very relaxed” in the days following the attacks. He even expressed his desire for Pakistan’s highest military honor, Nishan-e-Haider, to be awarded to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists who carried out the Mumbai carnage.
The order reveals that Rana had a connection with his friend and LeT terrorist David Coleman Headley. In an email exchange on December 25, 2008, a co-conspirator asked Headley about Rana’s reaction to the attacks, to which Headley responded that Rana was “very relaxed” and was trying to calm him down. The document further discloses that Rana suggested the nine LeT terrorists who were killed during the Mumbai attacks should be honored with Nishan-e-Haider. Rana also asked Headley to convey his compliments to one of the co-conspirators responsible for planning the attacks, comparing him to a famous general and suggesting he should receive a medal.
The order states that Rana was in direct contact with Headley’s contacts in Pakistan and provided information as required. The court found probable cause to believe that Rana committed the offenses for which extradition is sought, making him eligible for extradition to India.
India filed a complaint on June 10, 2020, seeking Rana’s provisional arrest for extradition, and the Biden Administration supported and approved the extradition. The order also mentions Headley’s surveillance activities in India, including Chabad Houses in Delhi, Goa, and Pushkar, as well as the National Defence College (NDC). Rana was aware of these surveillance activities and discussed targeting the NDC, envisioning an attack that would result in the deaths of high-ranking Indian military officials.
The extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India is seen as a significant victory in India’s pursuit of justice for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
