After US Supreme Court Rejection, Tahawwur Rana Submits Fresh Petition To Block Extradition To India

Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has submitted a renewed application to US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts seeking a stay on his extradition to India, reported The Hindu.

This comes after the US Supreme Court rejected his initial emergency bid, dealing a major blow to his legal battle against extradition.

Renewed Appeal After Justice Kagan's Rejection

Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.

He had earlier filed an “Emergency Application for Stay Pending Litigation of Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus” with US Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan on 27 February.

However, a Supreme Court note dated 6 March confirmed that Justice Kagan denied his application.

In response, Rana’s legal team has now redirected the same request to Chief Justice Roberts, seeking a stay until all litigation and appeals are exhausted.

Grounds for Seeking a Stay

In his plea, Rana has argued that his extradition to India would violate US law and the United Nations Convention Against Torture, as he faces the risk of severe mistreatment.

His petition claims that due to his Muslim identity, Pakistani origin, and past service in the Pakistani Army, he is at a higher risk of torture in India.

Most importantly, his connection to the 2008 Mumbai attacks further increases the likelihood of severe treatment, further, his chronic health conditions make survival in an Indian prison unlikely if subjected to mistreatment.

Trump Administration's Approval of Extradition

The US Supreme Court had already denied Rana’s writ of certiorari on 21 January, effectively rejecting his challenge to extradition.

Last month, US President Donald Trump had announced the formal approval of Rana’s extradition to India during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.

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