US SC rejects 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition stay request
What's the story
The United States Supreme Court has dismissed a plea by Tahawwur Rana, a prime suspect in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to stay his extradition to India.
The ruling comes after President Donald Trump approved the extradition during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Washington.
Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is currently detained at a metropolitan center in Los Angeles.
Legal arguments
Rana's legal team argues extradition violates US law
Rana's legal team argued that his extradition would violate US law and the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
They claimed there are "substantial grounds for believing that, if extradited to India, petitioner will be in danger of being subjected to torture."
His lawyers highlighted his Muslim faith and Pakistani origin as factors increasing the risk of torture.
Health issues
Rana cites health concerns in extradition plea
Rana also cited severe health problems, including multiple heart attacks, Parkinson's disease with cognitive decline, and a mass suggestive of bladder cancer.
His legal team argued that extradition would be a "de facto death sentence" due to these conditions.
The application noted that Rana suffers from a 3.5cm abdominal aortic aneurysm at immediate risk of rupture and other life-threatening diagnoses.
Human rights
Rana's appeal references human rights concerns
The appeal cited the Human Rights Watch 2023 World Report, which details discrimination against religious minorities in India.
It also mentioned a recent UK court ruling that blocked another person's extradition to India due to torture risks.
Rana contended that his case poses an even higher risk, claiming that without a stay on his extradition, "there will be no review at all," and he would be in imminent danger on arrival in India.