Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Mar 7: Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana has filed a renewed application before Chief Justice John Roberts seeking a stay on his extradition to India, days after the US Supreme Court rejected his emergency plea.
Rana, 64, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is currently lodged in the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles.
Rana had earlier submitted an Emergency Application for Stay Pending Litigation of Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus before Associate Justice Elena Kagan on February 27. However, on March 6, the Supreme Court rejected his plea, stating, "Application…denied by Justice Kagan."
Following this, Rana renewed his application, requesting that it be directed to Chief Justice Roberts, according to his lawyers' submission on March 7, posted on the US Supreme Court website.
In his emergency plea, Rana sought a stay on his extradition and surrender to India until all legal appeals were exhausted.
He argued that his extradition violates US law and the United Nations Convention Against Torture, citing "substantial grounds" for believing he could be subjected to torture in India.
“The likelihood of torture is even higher as the petitioner is a Muslim of Pakistani origin, charged in the Mumbai attacks,” his application stated.
Rana’s plea further claimed that his multiple life-threatening medical conditions make extradition equivalent to a "death sentence". His medical records from July 2024 document:
• Multiple heart attacks
• Parkinson’s disease with cognitive decline
• A mass suggesting bladder cancer
• Stage 3 chronic kidney disease
• Chronic asthma and multiple COVID-19 infections
His lawyers argue that Indian prison conditions would worsen his health and shorten his life expectancy.
The plea also highlighted a February 11, 2025 decision by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to authorize Rana’s extradition, under the US-India Extradition Treaty. This announcement came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington on February 12, where he met President Donald Trump.
Rana’s legal team requested details from the US State Department on any commitments from India regarding his treatment, but the government declined to provide any information, the application stated.
Rana’s plea emphasized that denying a stay would effectively end his legal battle, as he would be extradited before US courts could review his claims.
“The issues raised by the petitioner merit full and careful consideration. The stakes are enormous, and the least US courts owe him is a fair chance to litigate before he is handed over to the Indian government,” his lawyers argued.
During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Modi at the White House last month, President Trump confirmed that Rana’s extradition to India had been approved.