The U.S. Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal that sought to prevent the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the Mumbai attacks, to India.
With this decision, the process of handing Rana over to Indian authorities has taken a step forward.
In 2008, a terrorist attack took place in Mumbai, India. Rana, one of the accused in the attack, was arrested in the U.S. in 2009.
In 2013, a court convicted him of collaborating with his associate David Coleman Headley in planning the Mumbai attacks and also for plotting an attack in Denmark. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Rana, 64, is a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin. After earning a degree in medical science, he joined the medical corps of the Pakistani military. He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, USA.
On November 26, 2008, coordinated attacks were carried out at several locations in Mumbai including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Metro Cinema, St. Xavier’s College, a hospital, and cafés. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 166 people and injuries to over 300.
One of the attackers, Ajmal Kasab, was sentenced to death and executed in 2012.