The US Supreme Court has turned down a plea by Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, seeking to halt his extradition to India.
Justice Elena Kagan denied Rana’s request for an emergency stay on Thursday (local time), effectively clearing the way for his extradition.
Rana had argued that he would not survive long enough to stand trial in India due to health concerns and other factors.
In his appeal, Rana contended, “If a stay is not entered, there will be no review at all, and the US courts will lose jurisdiction, and the petitioner will soon be dead.”
He further claimed that, as a Muslim of Pakistani origin and a former member of the Pakistani Army, he would be at a high risk of torture if extradited.
Rana cited the Human Rights Watch 2023 World Report, alleging discrimination against religious minorities in India and asserting that he would be in grave danger under Indian custody.
Rana also pointed to his deteriorating health, including an abdominal aortic aneurysm, Parkinson’s disease, and a suspected bladder cancer diagnosis, arguing that extradition would put his life at risk.
Earlier in February, former US President Donald Trump announced Rana’s extradition to India during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their bilateral meeting.
Rana, a known associate of Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, actively aided the 26/11 attacks.
His alleged ties to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, have been a longstanding point of contention between India and the US.
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