NEW DELHI: In a major breakthrough more than 15 years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks , one of its key accused, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, has been extradited to India from the United States. The Pakistan-born Canadian national, a close associate of convicted terrorist David Coleman Headley , landed in Delhi on Thursday aboard a special flight.
His extradition marks a significant diplomatic and legal milestone in India's prolonged efforts to bring the masterminds of the 2008 attacks to justice.
NIA confirms extradition
In a detailed statement, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said it had "successfully secured" Rana’s extradition following years of "sustained and concerted efforts." Rana had been held in judicial custody in the US after proceedings were initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty. “The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move,” the NIA added.
The process had been underway for years. The District Court for the Central District of California ordered his extradition on May 16, 2023. Rana’s appeals to the Ninth Circuit Court and multiple petitions, including to the US Supreme Court, were all rejected. His final attempt—a review plea before the US Supreme Court—was dismissed on April 4, 2025, effectively clearing the path for extradition.
The NIA also credited the US Department of Justice, US Sky Marshal, Indian intelligence agencies, National Security Guard (NSG), and ministries of external and home affairs for their roles in coordinating the transfer.
A special trial for a special case
Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, who led India’s arguments in the US court, will now prosecute Rana in Delhi. Krishnan, a 1993 graduate of NLSIU Bengaluru and senior advocate since 2014, has previously represented India in the extradition of Ravi Shankaran and served as special prosecutor in the 2012 Delhi gangrape case. He also led the NIA team that interrogated Headley in Chicago.
Krishnan will be joined by special public prosecutor Narender Mann, appointed by the Union home ministry. Mann, a seasoned criminal lawyer and Delhi University graduate, has represented the CBI in several high-profile cases including the Jain-diary Hawala case, CWG scam, and the Bofors case. His term will span three years or until the conclusion of the case, whichever comes earlier.
The prosecution team will also include advocates Sanjeevi Sheshadri and Sridhar Kale, aside from NIA counsel.
Also, advocate Piyush Sachdeva from Delhi Legal Services Authority will represent Rana.
The man behind the scenes
Rana, a former Pakistani military doctor turned Canadian citizen, ran an immigration services firm in Chicago that allegedly served as a cover for Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives. While he was convicted in the US in 2011 for supporting terrorism, he was acquitted of direct involvement in the Mumbai attacks due to jurisdictional issues.
India, however, has maintained that Rana facilitated David Headley’s reconnaissance missions in Mumbai, including visits to the Taj Hotel and Chabad House.
Legal journey: From Chicago to Delhi
Rana’s trial began in 2018 in the US. The turning point came on May 16, 2023, when a Magistrate Judge ruled that the case was not one of double jeopardy—a principle that prevents an accused from being tried twice for the same offense. Krishnan successfully argued that Rana’s acts constituted distinct crimes under Indian law. His arguments prevailed against veteran extradition lawyer Paul Garlick QC, who represented Rana.
Following this, a US District Judge rejected Rana’s appeal on August 10, 2023. His next appeal to the US Court of Appeals was denied on August 15, 2024. Ultimately, all of Rana’s petitions—including a writ of certiorari, habeas corpus petitions, and an emergency stay—were turned down by the US Supreme Court.
The US Secretary of State signed Rana’s surrender warrant on February 11, 2025, leading to his final transfer.
Pakistan disowns Rana
Interestingly, as the extradition proceeded, Pakistan distanced itself from Rana. “Tahawwur Rana has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades. His Canadian nationality is very clear,” said Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan. This comes despite Pakistan officially allowing dual citizenship with Canada.
A step closer to closure
The 26/11 attacks killed 166 people and injured over 300 during a 60-hour siege across key locations in Mumbai. The carnage brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war and changed the course of global counter-terrorism policy.
A senior NIA official said Rana’s extradition “is a significant development in our pursuit of justice for the 26/11 victims.” The agency has charged him under the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and SAARC Convention on Suppression of Terrorism. A response to its Letter Rogatory to Pakistan is still awaited.
While David Headley continues to serve a 35-year sentence in the US, Rana’s arrival in India may finally help uncover more about the network and planning behind the attacks—opening a long-awaited chapter in India’s search for justice.
His extradition marks a significant diplomatic and legal milestone in India's prolonged efforts to bring the masterminds of the 2008 attacks to justice.
NIA confirms extradition
In a detailed statement, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said it had "successfully secured" Rana’s extradition following years of "sustained and concerted efforts." Rana had been held in judicial custody in the US after proceedings were initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty. “The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move,” the NIA added.
The process had been underway for years. The District Court for the Central District of California ordered his extradition on May 16, 2023. Rana’s appeals to the Ninth Circuit Court and multiple petitions, including to the US Supreme Court, were all rejected. His final attempt—a review plea before the US Supreme Court—was dismissed on April 4, 2025, effectively clearing the path for extradition.
The NIA also credited the US Department of Justice, US Sky Marshal, Indian intelligence agencies, National Security Guard (NSG), and ministries of external and home affairs for their roles in coordinating the transfer.
A special trial for a special case
Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, who led India’s arguments in the US court, will now prosecute Rana in Delhi. Krishnan, a 1993 graduate of NLSIU Bengaluru and senior advocate since 2014, has previously represented India in the extradition of Ravi Shankaran and served as special prosecutor in the 2012 Delhi gangrape case. He also led the NIA team that interrogated Headley in Chicago.
Krishnan will be joined by special public prosecutor Narender Mann, appointed by the Union home ministry. Mann, a seasoned criminal lawyer and Delhi University graduate, has represented the CBI in several high-profile cases including the Jain-diary Hawala case, CWG scam, and the Bofors case. His term will span three years or until the conclusion of the case, whichever comes earlier.
The prosecution team will also include advocates Sanjeevi Sheshadri and Sridhar Kale, aside from NIA counsel.
Also, advocate Piyush Sachdeva from Delhi Legal Services Authority will represent Rana.
The man behind the scenes
Rana, a former Pakistani military doctor turned Canadian citizen, ran an immigration services firm in Chicago that allegedly served as a cover for Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives. While he was convicted in the US in 2011 for supporting terrorism, he was acquitted of direct involvement in the Mumbai attacks due to jurisdictional issues.
India, however, has maintained that Rana facilitated David Headley’s reconnaissance missions in Mumbai, including visits to the Taj Hotel and Chabad House.
Legal journey: From Chicago to Delhi
Rana’s trial began in 2018 in the US. The turning point came on May 16, 2023, when a Magistrate Judge ruled that the case was not one of double jeopardy—a principle that prevents an accused from being tried twice for the same offense. Krishnan successfully argued that Rana’s acts constituted distinct crimes under Indian law. His arguments prevailed against veteran extradition lawyer Paul Garlick QC, who represented Rana.
Following this, a US District Judge rejected Rana’s appeal on August 10, 2023. His next appeal to the US Court of Appeals was denied on August 15, 2024. Ultimately, all of Rana’s petitions—including a writ of certiorari, habeas corpus petitions, and an emergency stay—were turned down by the US Supreme Court.
The US Secretary of State signed Rana’s surrender warrant on February 11, 2025, leading to his final transfer.
Pakistan disowns Rana
Interestingly, as the extradition proceeded, Pakistan distanced itself from Rana. “Tahawwur Rana has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades. His Canadian nationality is very clear,” said Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan. This comes despite Pakistan officially allowing dual citizenship with Canada.
A step closer to closure
The 26/11 attacks killed 166 people and injured over 300 during a 60-hour siege across key locations in Mumbai. The carnage brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war and changed the course of global counter-terrorism policy.
A senior NIA official said Rana’s extradition “is a significant development in our pursuit of justice for the 26/11 victims.” The agency has charged him under the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and SAARC Convention on Suppression of Terrorism. A response to its Letter Rogatory to Pakistan is still awaited.
While David Headley continues to serve a 35-year sentence in the US, Rana’s arrival in India may finally help uncover more about the network and planning behind the attacks—opening a long-awaited chapter in India’s search for justice.
You may also like
GenAI's diagnostic capabilities comparable to non-specialist doctors: Study
Summer Smash is ON: Dive Into Chennai's Coolest Pickleball Camp This Summer!
IMD warns of intense heat, dusty winds in Gujarat
CIBIL Score Rule: RBI made 6 new rules on the CIBIL score, and customers will get big benefits..
Cheetahs to be introduced at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh
