MODI GOVERNMENT SECURES EXTRADITION OF 26/11 MASTERMIND TAHAWWUR RANA

After a US lower court's decision to release Rana on compassionate grounds, GOI moved swiftly and filed for his

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

The victims, survivors and the family members of the 166 people who were killed in the horrific November 2008 Mumbai attack by terrorists supported by Pakistan Army officers, are likely to find some closure more than 16 years later with the Government of India successfully being able to secure the extradition of the 64-year-old Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the masterminds in the massacre.

On 21 January, Rana's writ of certiorari was among the 45 such writs that were denied by the Supreme Court of the US while deciding not to review the lower court's decision to extradite Rana to India.

The situation regarding Rana's imminent extradition, however, only arose because the Government of India pursued the case with full force, despite a local court having ordered his release on “compassionate grounds” in June 2020.

Following the US lower court's decision to release Rana on compassionate grounds, the relevant office of Government of India, on directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, moved swiftly and immediately filed for his provisional arrest. India's approach was focused on ensuring that Rana faced justice for his role in the attack, and officials worked through diplomatic and legal channels to challenge his release and secure his extradition. The Modi administration made it clear that the government would pursue the matter vigorously, especially considering the importance of securing justice for the victims and survivors of the attacks.