26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana Being Extradited to India in Special Aircraft After US Supreme Court Rejection

After exhausting all legal remedies in the US, Tahawwur Rana — a key figure linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks — is en route to India for trial, following a clear directive from the highest American court.

April 9, 2025: New Delhi:
Tahawwur Rana, one of the accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is finally being extradited to India aboard a special aircraft, sources confirmed on Wednesday. The development comes after the US Supreme Court rejected his final appeal seeking a stay on his extradition.

Also Read: Trump Approves Extradition of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack Accused Tahawwur Rana to India

According to officials familiar with the matter, Rana’s flight is expected to land in India either late tonight or early tomorrow, with one stop for refuelling en route.

Rana, a Pakistani-origin US citizen and former associate of 26/11 conspirator David Coleman Headley, had earlier tried to block his extradition citing serious health concerns. He claimed to be suffering from an abdominal aortic aneurysm, Parkinson’s disease, cognitive decline, and a suspected bladder tumour. He also argued that his return to India could lead to persecution on religious and cultural grounds.

Also Read: US Supreme Court Approves Extradition of 26/11 Convict Tahawwur Rana to India

Despite these claims, the US Supreme Court on Monday denied his application:

“The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied.”

This marked the second such rejection by the apex court in recent weeks. Rana had earlier been convicted in the US for supporting terrorism, though not specifically for the 26/11 attacks, and served over a decade in prison. He was later released due to health complications but was re-arrested when India renewed its extradition request.

The extradition process gained fresh momentum after a public commitment by US President Donald Trump during his February 2025 meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi, where he pledged to ensure justice is delivered.

Rana, a former physician and businessman, was believed to have deep connections with both Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) — both of which were implicated in orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed over 160 people.

India is now expected to begin court proceedings against Rana soon after his arrival.

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