Trump approves Tahawwur Rana's extradition; but what took so long
What's the story
US President Donald Trump has approved the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror accused Tahawwur Rana to India.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.
"We are giving a very violent man (Tahawwur Rana) back to India immediately," Trump said.
Trump's announcement follows the US Supreme Court's decision on January 21, which rejected Rana's review petition, paving the way for the Department of State to initiate his extradition process.
Terror link
Rana's role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks
Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian national, is accused of helping David Coleman Headley, one of the main plotters of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, who later became an approver in the case.
The attacks left 166 people dead, including six Americans.
Headley allegedly used Rana's immigration consultancy as a cover to scout targets in Mumbai for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists.
To plan for the attack, Rana himself had traveled to Mumbai with his wife, where he stayed at the Taj Mahal Hotel.
Plan
Headley visited India five times
During questioning, Headley had revealed that he had visited India five times between 2007 and 2008 to do reconnaissance for the attacks, using a five-year visa that Rana had helped him secure.
He also revealed the involvement of the LeT in the attacks and stated that, with Rana's assistance, he had established an immigration company to hide his identity.
Rana was arrested in October 2009 at Chicago's O'Hare airport and was later sentenced to 14 years for aiding terrorist activities.
Legal proceedings
Rana's arrest and India's extradition request
In 2011, Rana was acquitted of charges directly related to the 26/11 attacks, despite substantial proof of his involvement in the attack's execution.
US courts, however, convicted him of helping the group's activities, specifically a plot to attack Denmark.
India has been seeking his extradition through diplomatic channels since December 2019 and a complaint seeking his provisional arrest was registered the following year in June.
Extradition process
Legal challenges and preparations for Rana's extradition
On May 16, 2023, an extradition court approved his extradition to India. The 63-year-old then moved a habeas court in California, which was denied on August 10, 2023. He subsequently approached the circuit court, which rejected his plea in August of last year.
His last appeal was denied by the US Supreme Court on January 25, 2025.
After his review petition was rejected, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the final go-ahead will be given by the US administration.
Transfer details
India's coordination for Rana's transfer and custody
"As a new government has been formed only last month, an executive order clearing Rana's extradition is likely once the new US government settles down," a government official was quoted as saying by The Hindu.
With Trump's approval, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team will now travel to the US to complete the formalities and take Rana into custody.
On extradition, he will be detained in Delhi's Tihar jail.
Rana is currently being held at Los Angeles's Metropolitan Detention Center.