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New Delhi. The National Investigation Agency is preparing to initiate proceedings in view of the possibility of extraditing Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India from the US next month. Official sources gave this information on Monday. A US court had recently rejected a petition for a meeting (status conference) of Rana with the prosecution, saying that a decision is expected on his extradition to India in the next 30 days. The NIA (NIA ) is probing Rana’s role in the 26/11 attacks carried out by Pakistani terrorists in 2008.
He (Tahawwur Rana) was arrested in the US on an extradition request from India for his role in these attacks. Sources said that if there is a decision in favor of India on the extradition request, the NIA will initiate proceedings to bring him to India through diplomatic channels. He said that a final decision in this regard can be taken by May 20. In a petition filed through his lawyer last month, Rana (62) had requested the court to allow the prosecution and the defense to discuss the matter and the provision for commutation of sentence for pleading guilty.
The decision is yet to come on the request of the US government.
Los Angeles, California District Court Judge Jacqueline Chooljian held a previous hearing on the issue in June 2021, and the last set of papers was submitted to the court in July 2021. This court is yet to give its verdict on the request of the US government to extradite Rana to India. Rana’s counsel had said that the last arguments in the court in the case took place on July 21. He said that in view of the passage of time and Rana continuing behind bars, it seems appropriate for this court and the lawyers to discuss the present status of the matter.
The decision is expected to be issued in the next 30 days.
Rana’s counsel suggested that the ‘status conference’ be held on April 25, but the court rejected the application in one of its orders on April 17. The court’s order states, ‘The request made in the petition that the court should keep the concerned parties informed about the latest status of the matter is approved. Parties concerned are advised that the court anticipates issuing a decision on the matter within 30 days. During the court hearing, federal prosecutors argued that Rana knew that his childhood friend, David Coleman Headley Lash- He was associated with A-Taiba and was helping the terrorist organization and its associates by assisting Headley and covering up his activities.
