Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has appealed against his extradition, citing health risks and torture in India.
Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, was convicted in the US for supporting the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and is wanted in India for his alleged role in the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people.
Rana has approached the US Supreme Court, seeking an emergency stay on the extradition, a report in The Times of India said. In his appeal, he has claimed that his survival chances would be insufficient for facing trial in India.
“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,” Rana said in the appeal petition.
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He further said that his extradition to India would likely lead to his torture, given his status as a Pakistani-origin Muslim individual. He added that he was a “walking time bomb” with numerous health issues, including a bulging artery, Parkinson’s disease and possible cancer.
Last month, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, Trump had announced the extradition of Rana. Trump, announcing the move during a joint briefing with Modi, said he is handing over a “very dangerous” man to India who is accused of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
“I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters (Tahawwur Rana) and one of the very evil people of the world, having to do with the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack to face justice in India. He is going back to India to face justice,” Trump said during the White House briefing.
Pakistani-origin Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who was convicted for his role in the Mumbai terror attacks, will be interrogated by the Indian agencies and face trial.
He was found guilty in the US for providing support to Lashkar-e-Taiba. India has been seeking his extradition for an extended period.
