US Supreme Court turns down Tahawwur Rana’s plea against extradition to India

The US Supreme Court has denied an application by Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, against his extradition to India, where he is wanted in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack case.

“Application (24A852) denied by the court”, the US Supreme Court said on 7 April.

Last week, the nine-judge bench of the US Supreme Court held a conference on Rana’s application that was referred to the bench by chief justice John Roberts. Unless Rana and his legal team come out with another option to appeal, the Department of Justice, through the State Department, would now reach out to the Indian government to start the process of extradition of the “mastermind” of the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008.

“We have no comments” said Rana’s attorney when reached by phone after the court made its decision public.

Rana’s application, which was originally filed on 27 February was denied by Supreme Court Justice Elana Kagan on 6 March. The same day Rana filed an application urging that it be submitted to the chief justice for reconsideration. Roberts sent it to the full bench on 19 March. A conference on this was held on 4 April.

During the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US, President Donald Trump announced he had approved the long-awaited extradition of Rana, a now 64. Rana is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles.

Courtesy: 5wh.com