US Court Grants Tahawwur Rana Extension Until November 9 To Oppose Extradition To India

A US federal court has granted Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana an extension until November 9 to submit a motion opposing his extradition to India in connection with the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Rana, 62, previously appealed the denial of a writ of habeas corpus by a US District Court in California, and the Ninth Circuit Court has now agreed to his request for additional time, pushing the filing date to November 9. The government's response is expected by December 11, 2023, as per the recent court order.

Currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles, Rana faces charges related to the Mumbai attacks and is linked to Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, a key figure in the 26/11 strikes. The court had earlier granted a stay of extradition in August, allowing Rana's appeal to be heard by the US Court of Appeals, PTI reported. 

Judge Fischer from the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit had urged Rana to present his arguments by October 10, with the US Government responding by November 8. The judge acknowledged Rana's claim of significant irreparable harm but noted the government's argument that such harm is generic for any fugitive seeking a stay of extradition.

US attorney John J Lulejian had opposed Rana's application for a stay, asserting that it would cause unwarranted delays in fulfilling US obligations to India and damage international credibility. Lulejian argued that Rana had not demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of his claims and urged the court to deny the application.

The 2008 Mumbai terror attacks resulted in the death of 166 individuals, including six Americans. India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating Rana's role in the attacks orchestrated by the Lashkar-e-Taiba group. The NIA has expressed readiness to pursue diplomatic channels for Rana's extradition to India.