Tahawwur Rana, the accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has approached the United States Supreme Court seeking an emergency stay on his extradition to India. In his application, Rana argued that he would not survive long enough to stand trial in India due to various factors, including his deteriorating health and alleged risk of torture.
Rana fears torture and death
Rana, in his appeal, stated that without a stay, there would be no opportunity for review, and he might not live to see justice. He claimed that if extradited, the likelihood of him being subjected to torture was high due to his Muslim religion, Pakistani origin, former Pakistani Army membership, and the nature of the charges related to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He cited the 2023 Human Rights Watch World Report, which documented the Indian government’s alleged discrimination against religious minorities, particularly Muslims. According to Rana, the political climate in India makes him especially vulnerable to mistreatment and potential fatal consequences.
In addition to his fears of persecution, Rana emphasised his severe medical conditions, which include a 3.5 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm at risk of rupture, Parkinson’s disease with cognitive decline, and a mass indicative of bladder cancer. He asserted that his declining health made extradition a life-threatening risk, comparing it to being sent into a “hornet’s nest” where he would face national, religious, and cultural animosity.
Legal and political implications
Despite his plea, the US Supreme Court recently rejected Rana’s review petition. Following this decision, former US President Donald Trump announced that his administration had approved Rana’s extradition, referring to him as “very evil.” Rana is a known associate of David Coleman Headley, a key conspirator of the 26/11 attacks, and has alleged ties to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). His extradition remains a bone of contention between India and the United States.
(With ANI inputs)