26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana files petitions at US Supreme Court to halt extradition, says 'petitioner will soon be dead'

Tahawwur Rana

, a key accused in the

2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks

that killed more than 170 people, has submitted a petition to

US Supreme Court

Chief Justice John Roberts seeking to prevent his

extradition to India

.
This follows the rejection of his review petition by Justice Elena Kagan earlier this month.
According to the US Supreme Court website, the application will be reviewed by Supreme Court judges during a conference on April 4, 2025. Rana has filed a fresh application requesting a stay on his transfer to India.
"Petitioner Tahawwar Rana has renewed his Emergency Application for Stay Pending Litigation of Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus previously addressed to Justice Kagan and requests that the renewed application be directed to Chief Justice Roberts, according to the order published on the US Supreme Court's website," states his appeal.

Justice Elena Kagan's recent denial of Rana's application for stay on extradition prompted this new request. Rana contended in his application that he would not survive long enough for trial in India due to various circumstances.
Through his appeal, Rana said, "If a stay is not entered, there will be no review at all, and the US courts will lose jurisdiction, and the petitioner will soon be dead." He asserted that his extradition to India would likely result in torture due to his Muslim faith and Pakistani background.
He emphasised that his Muslim faith, Pakistani heritage, previous service in the Pakistani Army, connection to the 2008 Mumbai attacks charges, and health issues make him particularly vulnerable to torture, which could prove fatal.
Rana's health concerns include a 3.5 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm at risk of rupture, Parkinson's disease with cognitive decline, and a suspected bladder cancer mass. He maintains that his national, religious, and cultural background would make him a target.
In February, US President Donald Trump announced Rana's extradition during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their bilateral discussions.
Who is Tahawwur Rana?
Rana, who holds Canadian citizenship and has Pakistani origins, faces charges in India for his involvement in the Mumbai attacks that resulted in over 174 fatalities. He was found guilty in the United States for providing support to the proscribed organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
India has been seeking his extradition for an extended period. In connection with the 26/11 attack, Rana is alleged to have assisted his associate David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Gilani, who possessed US citizenship through his American mother and Pakistani father. US authorities apprehended Headley in October 2009.
Rana's involvement reportedly extended beyond being cognisant of Headley's connections to LeT, the Pakistan-based outlawed terrorist group. He actively supported Headley by providing him with false credentials, which enabled Headley to travel to India and scout potential targets for LeT's 2008 operation.