US Court Halts Extradition of 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana to India: Latest Updates

New Delhi: In a legal tug-of-war, a US court has put a pause on the extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India. Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, is entangled in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. His alleged involvement in this heinous act has sparked a contentious legal battle between the US and India.

The recent court ruling, overriding the Biden administration’s appeal, ordered a stay on Rana’s extradition. The decision comes as Rana appealed against a previous US district court’s denial of a writ of habeas corpus seeking his extradition to India.

Judge Dale S. Fischer granted Rana’s request for a stay on his extradition, citing serious legal questions raised by Rana’s defence team. While the court didn’t ascertain a strong likelihood of Rana’s success on the merits, it acknowledged the existence of substantial legal ambiguity surrounding the extradition treaty’s interpretation.

This legal tussle has significant implications, with India seeking Rana’s extradition due to his alleged involvement in the Mumbai attacks that claimed 166 lives. Rana’s association with David Coleman Headley, a key conspirator in the 26/11 attacks, has added complexity to this prolonged legal battle.

The development comes amidst FBI Director Christopher Wray’s visit to India, where discussions with Indian officials will include crucial topics such as extradition, mutual cooperation, and information sharing on critical cases.

This legal halt raises questions about the future course of Rana’s extradition, leaving this high-profile case hanging in legal limbo.