In a last-ditch attempt, Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana has approached the US Supreme Court seeking an emergency stay of his extradition to India. In his application, which has been exclusively accessed by India Today, Rana said that there was a high likelihood of him being tortured in India as he was a Muslim of Pakistani origin.
Tahawwur Rana, 63, is currently lodged in a jail in Los Angeles. He is known to be associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist David Headley, one of the main conspirators of the Mumbai attacks in which 166 were killed.
In his petition, Rana submitted that he was suffering from multiple ailments, including an advanced cardiac aneurysm, Parkinson's with cognitive decline, and possible bladder cancer. Rana's lawyers argued that he may not survive long enough to face trial.
Rana also claimed that there was a high probability of him being subjected to torture if he was handed over to Indian authorities. The application cited the 2023 Human Rights Watch report that alleged systematic discrimination and stigmatisation of religious minorities, particularly Muslims, by the BJP-led government in India. India has rejected the report, calling it baseless.
The application further stated that the Indian government was "increasingly autocratic", arguing that Rana's right to a fair trial would be jeopardised.
On January 21, the US Supreme Court rejected a review petition filed by Rana. Last month, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, President Donald Trump announced that his administration had approved the extradition of Rana, whom he called "very evil". India has said that it was working with the US authorities to bring Rana to the country to face justice.
