US backs India's request to extradite 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana in court

Indian authorities have handed over evidence that shows how Rana allowed fraud against the Indian government to occur through the creation and submission of forged documents.

Asianet Newsable English

New Delhi, First Published Jul 20, 2021, 11:02 AM IST | Last Updated Jul 20, 2021, 11:02 AM IST

The United States administration has urged a federal court in Los Angeles to extradite Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana to India. He is wanted for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

An Indian warrant for the Pakistani-born Canadian's arrest was issued in August 2018.

Rana is 26/11 case convict David Coleman Headley's friend. Headley, 60, who turned approver in the case, is serving a 35-year prison sentence in the United States for his role in the terror attack in which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed.

Following an extradition request from India, Rana was re-arrested on June 10, 2020, in Los Angeles.

Indian authorities have handed over evidence that shows how Rana allowed fraud against the Indian government to occur through the creation and submission of forged documents. India also believes that he knowingly allowed Headley to obtain the business visa and the cover that he needed to conduct terrorism-related surveillance operations in India, ultimately leading to the three-day terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

Documentary evidence also reportedly shows that Rana knew of Headley's involvement with the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and that by assisting the latter, he was aiding a terrorist organisation and its associates. He knew of Headley's meetings, what was discussed, and the planning of the attacks, including some of the targets.

Rana has opposed his extradition to India, arguing that he has already been convicted by a US court in Chicago. The United States government asserted that the premise of Rana's argument is incorrect because the Indian substantive charges are not considered lesser included offences of their conspiracy charges.

The US government has informed the court that Rana meets all the criteria warranting certification of his extradition to India.

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