Mumbai: In a major breakthrough for India’s counter-terrorism efforts, Tahawwur Hussain Rana — one of the key conspirators behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks — has been extradited to India from the United States. The move marks a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 attacks that left 166 people dead and over 238 injured.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his satisfaction over the development and praised the central government’s efforts. “I am very happy that the accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and one of the conspirators, Tahawwur Rana, has been brought to India. I thank Prime Minister on behalf of Mumbaikars that the conspirator has been brought to India to face the Indian judicial system,” he stated.
Fadnavis underscored the emotional burden the city had carried since the hanging of Ajmal Kasab, one of the terrorists involved in the attacks. “It was a burden on us that Kasab was executed as per law, but the conspirator was not in our custody… He is with NIA now, and they are investigating the case,” he added.
He assured that the state is in close coordination with the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is leading the probe. “Now, the NIA will take calls about the investigation and legal procedures to be followed. Whatever information we need, we will take from NIA, and if they need any assistance, we will do so through Mumbai Police,” Fadnavis said.
Rana arrived in India aboard a designated flight that landed at Delhi’s Palam Airport on April 10. His extradition follows a prolonged legal battle in the United States, where he had been held in judicial custody. The Central District Court of California had approved his extradition on May 16, 2023, under the India-US Extradition Treaty. Rana exhausted all his legal options, including appeals to the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court — all of which were dismissed.
The success of this extradition was made possible through coordinated efforts between the NIA, the US Department of Justice, and Indian agencies, with critical support from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Rana is accused of collaborating with David Coleman Headley, as well as members of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami, to orchestrate the attacks. Both groups are officially designated as terrorist organizations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
