Soon after the meeting between PM Narendra Modi and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, who had arrived on a three-day official visit to India last week, the Biden administration has started the process to quickly extradite Pakistani origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Hussain Rana who is currently being sought after by the Indian authorities for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
According to a WION report, John J Lulejian, the Assistant US attorney remarked that all the requisite criteria had been met and the 59-year old could be extradited to India soon.
He said, “The United States respectfully requests that following the April 22, 2021, extradition hearing, the Court certify India’s request for Rana’s extradition for the Secretary of State’s surrender decision,” said John whilst further adding, “Fugitive Tahawwur Hussain Rana is wanted in India to stand trial for offences related to his role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, that resulted in the death of 166 people, the injury of 239 people, and the damage to property in excess of $ 1.5 billion.”
Rana is a childhood friend of David Coleman Headley is charged by NIA for helping Headley in the reconnaissance of the targets which the terrorists chose in the 26/11 attacks. Rana is also the lead suspect behind formulating a strategy to carry out attacks at National Defense College and Chabad Houses.
Read more: Key conspirator of Mumbai Terror Attacks to be brought to India
Rana who owned First World Immigration Services in Chicago directed the officials of his firm to prepare documents for David Headley in order to prepare a cover story that could shield David from the Indian Investigative Agencies.
While the Congress could never get its hands on Rana, on the special extradition request of the Modi government, the perpetrator was arrested on June 10 in Los Angeles. And after Lulejian’s remarks, the US district court judge in Los Angeles has scheduled Rana’s extradition hearing for April 22 and given the indications, it looks certain that he will be deported to India.
The US under Biden has realised that miffing the Indian government is not the best way to go about things. The factually incorrect and partisan reports by US government-funded NGO like ‘Freedom House’ had caused tremendous damage to the relationship between the two countries. Thus, to make quick amends, the meeting of Lloyd Austin with PM Modi has immediately been met with the announcement of the extradition of Rana.
