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While welcoming the US decision, former diplomat KP Fabian noted that it took 17 years for the extradition of the Tahawwur Rana, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused, despite the Indian government providing credible evidence.
He also criticised the American legal process. Rana has been accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, where innocent people were killed, and is expected to stand trial in India. Fabian told ANI on Wednesday, "While we welcome the US decision, it's important to note that the 26/11 attacks occurred in 2008, and it has taken 17 years for the extradition--despite India providing credible evidence early on. Had the roles been reversed, and an accused in the 9/11 attacks was in India, the US would not have waited this long. The American legal process is slow, and successive administrations could have acted more swiftly..." On April 7, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Rana filed an emergency application with Chief Justice Roberts on March 20, 2025, seeking a stay on his extradition. "The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied," the SC order dated Monday, April 7, stated. According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, a case of criminal conspiracy against Rana was originally lodged by the NIA in Delhi following the deadly November 2008 attacks in which over 160 people were killed. The ongoing extradition process pertains to that case. However, officials clarified that it is yet to be determined whether Mumbai Police can seek his custody for any local investigation linked to the attacks. "Only after examining the grounds of extradition will it be clear whether custody can be sought by the Mumbai Crime Branch in this matter," sources said. Sources added that the Mumbai Police has not received any formal communication so far regarding Rana's transfer to the city for questioning or judicial proceedings. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. (ANI)
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