Mumbai 26/11: India sends fresh extradition request for Tawwahur Rana

New Delhi, Apr 18: India has sent an extradition request to the United States of America to have Dr Tawwahur Rana, an accomplice of David Headley extradited.

Rana who is an accused in the case filed by the National Investigation Agency in connection with the Mumbai 26/11 attacks is currently serving a 14 year jail term in the US.

Rana was convicted by a US court a few years back after being accused of providing support to the Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT).

The NIA has so far not managed to question Rana in connection with the 26/11 case. India is hopeful that the US would consider this request and extradite him to India.

Unlike Headley, Rana can be extradited:

With Headley, the man who conducted the reconnaissance of targets in Mumbai attacked by the Lashkar an extradition was not possible.

After his arrest, he entered into a plea bargain deal with the US which stated that he shall not be awarded a death penalty or be extradited to India, Pakistan or Denmark. However there is no such plea bargain deal where Rana is concerned and hence India is confident that he can be extradited.

India has produced fresh evidence against Rana. In the extradition request India says that while he is wanted for providing support to the Lashkar, he is also part of a conspiracy that sought to attack the National Defence College in Delhi and Jewish centres in various cities in India.

NIA officials say it would depend on the authorities in the US whether Rana would be extradited or not. We at least hope that as a first step we are permitted to question him. Rana has to be questioned before we can proceed with the case here, the NIA officer informed OneIndia.

Rana is said to be an accomplice of Headley. It is alleged that he had helped Headley with the travel documents when he came to India. Headley in his deposition sought to protect Rana stating that he was never in favour of the attack.

However Headley says that when in Mumbai, he had used an office that belonged to Rana. He further states that Rana never knew about his plan. However when he informed him, he was extremely upset.

OneIndia News