Tahawwur Rana, accused of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse his extradition to India, citing fears of torture due to his religious and ethnic background and serious health issues. Despite his claims, the U.S. government has approved the extradition.
Tahawwur Rana, a figure implicated in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has petitioned the United States Supreme Court to halt his extradition to India. His appeal expresses that should the extradition proceed, he is likely to face severe torture due to his Muslim faith and Pakistani heritage, resulting in his imminent death. He emphasized the urgency of his situation, stating that without a legal stay, U.S. jurisdiction would lapse, leading him to a fatal outcome upon arrival in India.
Rana’s legal argument is bolstered by his claims of deteriorating health, citing multiple conditions, including a significant abdominal aortic aneurysm at risk of rupture, Parkinson’s disease accompanied by cognitive decline, and a mass potentially indicating bladder cancer. He fears that his background and religious identity will mark him as a target, bringing about fatal consequences in a hostile environment.
Despite these pleas, the U.S. has already approved Rana’s extradition to India, a decision publicly endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who characterized Rana as “very evil.” Additionally, the Supreme Court previously dismissed his petition for a review. Rana maintains associations with David Coleman Headley, a central figure in orchestrating the attacks, and connections to militant groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence.
In summary, Tahawwur Rana’s plea against his extradition hinges on fears of torture tied to his ethnic and religious identity, compounded by significant health concerns. His appeal reflects the gravity he associates with his potential extradition to India, where he believes he would face imminent peril. As the U.S. courts have rejected his previous attempts for legal recourse, Rana’s future remains uncertain amid geopolitical tensions and existing wariness of his affiliations with terrorist organizations.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
