In a major development in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack case, the US Supreme Court on Saturday cleared the way for the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, one of the key conspirators in the horrific terror attack that killed 166 people, to India. The court denied Rana’s review petition, making it the final blow to his prolonged legal battles in the United States. Rana had lost cases in several federal courts, including the US Court of Appeals for the North Circuit in San Francisco, before his extradition request was approved.
Soon after the news broke, leaders across India expressed their support for the court’s decision, calling for more fugitives who have escaped Indian justice to be brought back. Among the prominent voices, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut demanded that other high-profile fugitives, such as Nirav Modi, who is accused of fraud and money laundering, along with notorious gangster Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon, be extradited to India.
Speaking to reporters, Raut said, "This is a judicial process. Such processes are ongoing. Now, Nirav Modi has to be brought back, Dawood has to be brought back, Tiger Memon has to be brought back. The list is long."
Raut's call for the return of these fugitives is part of the ongoing efforts by Indian authorities to bring back individuals who have escaped the country and are facing serious charges. His comments reflect growing public sentiment in India regarding the need for accountability and justice for those involved in heinous crimes, especially the 26/11 attacks that shook the nation.
In a similar tone, Communist Party of India (Marxist) politburo member Hannan Mollah also welcomed the US Supreme Court's ruling, applauding the decision to allow the extradition of the co-conspirator behind one of India's most devastating terrorist attacks.
Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, was convicted for providing logistical support to the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and facilitating the planning of the attacks. The extradition comes as a significant win for India in its continued fight against terrorism and its efforts to bring justice to the victims of 26/11.
As Rana is set to be extradited, there is renewed hope that the legal pursuit of other fugitives, including Dawood Ibrahim, who is believed to be hiding in Pakistan, will gain momentum. India has long demanded the return of Ibrahim, a mastermind behind the 1993 Bombay bombings, and his extradition has been a point of diplomatic friction between India and Pakistan.
