Rana set to return to India today

The years-long extradition process of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, entered its last lap on Wednesday as a team of Indian investigators took custody of the 64-year-old to bring him to India, and top officials in Delhi held meetings, bolstered security measures, and prepared last-minute protocol to handle the high-profile prisoner.

- Neeraj Chauhan

NEW DELHI:

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) team led by an inspector general rank officer will bring Rana in a special plane that is scheduled to land in India on Thursday, said highly placed officials.

The Pakistan-born Canadian physician lost his plea in the US Supreme Court against his extradition earlier this week. An update on the US Federal Bureau of Prisons on Wednesday confirmed he is no longer in the metropolitan detention centre in Los Angeles.

"A team comprising an IG and DIG of NIA and a few other officers travelled to the US on Sunday to take Rana's custody, based on the surrender warrant signed by the US secretary of state Marco Rubio in the second week of February. The team bringing him is expected to reach India on Thursday in a special flight," said an official, requesting anonymity.

Union home minister Amit Shah hailed the development at the Rising Bharat Summit of News18 on Wednesday saying that Rana's extradition to India is a big success of PM Modi's government. "It showcased the Modi government's strong global diplomacy and commitment to justice," he added.