The United States Supreme Court has rejected the application of Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, seeking a stay on his extradition to India. This decision clears a significant hurdle in India’s efforts to bring Rana to justice for his alleged involvement in the deadly attacks.
Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. He had filed an “Emergency Application For Stay Pending Litigation of Petition For Writ of Habeas Corpus” on February 27 with Associate Justice Elena Kagan, who serves as the Circuit Justice for the Ninth Circuit. Justice Kagan had previously denied this application last month.
Subsequently, Rana renewed his application, specifically addressing it to Chief Justice John Roberts and requesting the renewed plea be directed to him. An order posted on the Supreme Court website indicated that Rana’s renewed application was “distributed for Conference of 4/4/2025” and “referred to the Court.”
On Monday, a concise notice appeared on the Supreme Court’s website stating unequivocally, “Application denied by the Court.”
This decision by the highest court in the US means that the legal avenues for Rana to prevent his extradition to India within the US judicial system appear to be exhausted. India has been actively seeking Rana’s extradition for his alleged role in plotting the Mumbai attacks, which claimed the lives of over 160 people.
(With PTI Inputs)