New Delhi: The US Supreme Court has denied a review petition filed by Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, clearing the way for his extradition to India. Rana, who has faced multiple legal defeats in US courts, including the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, is now set to be extradited to face charges for his role in the attacks that killed 166 people.
The court’s decision, marked simply as “Petition DENIED,” was met with widespread approval in India, where leaders called for similar action against other fugitives.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut emphasized the need to bring back other high-profile fugitives such as Nirav Modi, facing fraud and money laundering charges, and notorious gangsters Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon. “This is a judicial process. Such judicial processes keep going on. Now Nirav Modi has to be brought, Dawood has to be brought, Tiger Memon has to be brought. The list is long,” Raut stated.
CPI(M) leader Hannan Mollah also welcomed the decision, commending the US judicial system for allowing Rana’s extradition. “Those criminals committed crimes in India and are staying there. The Indian government asked for their extradition, and it is good that the US Supreme Court has given permission,” Mollah remarked.
Advocate Ujjwal Nikam, who prosecuted the 26/11 case, hailed the development as a significant step toward uncovering the involvement of individuals in Pakistan’s security apparatus in the attacks. Rana’s extradition is expected to provide crucial insights into the planning and execution of one of India’s worst terrorist incidents.
