Washington, D.C: After prolonged legal proceedings, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian businessman of Pakistani descent, is nearing extradition from the United States to India. Rana is sought by Indian authorities for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which resulted in the deaths of over 160 individuals and left many more injured.

Rana, a former doctor in the Pakistani military who later acquired Canadian citizenship, relocated to Chicago, where he operated an immigration services company. In 2009, he was apprehended alongside his childhood friend, David Coleman Headley, for planning an attack on the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. During the investigation, links emerged between Rana and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the terrorist group behind the Mumbai attacks.

In 2011, Rana was convicted in the United States for providing support to terrorist activities and sentenced to 14 years in prison. While serving his sentence, India initiated efforts to extradite him for his alleged role in facilitating the deadly Mumbai operation.

The extradition process gained traction in May 2023 when a U.S. court approved India’s request. Rana contested the decision, but in August 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the extradition order, rejecting his habeas corpus petition. This ruling provided Rana a 45-day period to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. With no further legal challenge successful, the extradition is now in its final stages.

Indian authorities have been in communication with their U.S. counterparts to expedite Rana’s transfer. His extradition is considered a pivotal step in India’s pursuit of justice for the victims of the 26/11 attacks. Officials believe Rana’s testimony could offer valuable insights into the planning and coordination of the attacks, further exposing the international network of terrorism.

The 26/11 Mumbai attacks, often referred to as India’s equivalent of 9/11, spanned four days in November 2008. High-profile targets such as the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus were among those attacked. India has remained steadfast in its efforts to hold those responsible accountable, tracing the origins of the assault to operatives of Lashkar-e-Taiba based in Pakistan.