US Supreme Court Clears 26/11 Mumbai Attack Wanted Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition To India: Top Legal Experts In India Share Insights

In a significant move for India’s effort to prosecute those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the US Supreme Court has cleared the way for the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, wanted in 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

This was Rana’s last legal chance not to be extradited to India. Rana, detained in a detention centre in Los Angeles.

The US SC denied his petition for a writ of certiorari against his conviction.

Legal experts in India have hailed this ruling as international cooperation in prosecuting terrorism.

In an exclusive conversation with iTV Network, Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra explained the complexity of the extradition process.

He also pointed out the time consuming nature of such extraditions between nations.

Luthra said, ‘Extradition is not an easy process. In India, we strive for timely extraditions, but in other countries, it often takes time, as we’ve seen with this case. However, now that the U.S. top court has cleared the path, Rana’s extradition to India is almost clear.’

Luthra also underscored the diplomatic efforts made by India in collaboration with the U.S. to secure Rana’s return.

He said: ‘The Ministry of External Affairs should be commended for their persistence. We can now look forward to bringing Rana to India for trial, where he will face justice just as the others involved in the 26/11 attacks have.’

Luthra said that the process of extradition, typically involves several layers of legal review.

He said, ‘Extradition cases don’t directly go to the Supreme Court. They go through lower courts, and in rare cases, the U.S. Supreme Court. This decision was significant because very few cases reach this level.’

Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul also welcomed the U.S. top court’s ruling. He called it a ‘step in the right direction.’

Kaul noted the importance of diplomatic coordination with the U.S.

Kaul said that it is very important to prosecute individuals like Rana, who have committed heinous crimes such as those linked to the 26/11 attacks.
He said, ‘Terrorists like him should be prosecuted as per the rule of law without delay.’

He said that now the top court of the U.S. has cleared the path, Rana will face law in India and be held accountable for his acts.

Kaul also lauded the Government of India’s efforts in securing Rana’s extradition.

Experts believe it is now a matter of time before Rana is brought to India.

Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International