'Will Soon Be Dead': Tahawwur Rana, 26/11 Attack Accused's Move to Stall India Extradition

New Delhi: Accused of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008, Tahawwur Rana on Thursday approached the United States Supreme Court in his last effort to seeking an emergency stay on his extradition to India, alleging he'll “be dead” in India.

Terror accused Rana in his application, argued that he would not survive long enough to be tried in India due to various reasons.

Rana's petition mentioned that "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."

Rana Fears of Torture if Extradited to India

The 26/11 terror attacks accused claimed that if extradited to India, the likelihood is very high that he will be tortured as he is a Muslim of Pakistani origin.

Rana said in his petition that due to his Muslim religion, Pakistani origin, and former status as a member of the Pakistani Army, he is more likely to be tortured than otherwise would be the case. He also pointed out that the charges against him, related to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, further increase this risk.

Additionally, Rana cited his chronic health conditions, claiming that they would make him even more vulnerable to torture. He argued that the severity of the torture would likely lead to his death in a short period of time.

Also Read: Extradition of 26/11 Terror Accused Tahawwur Rana to India: Who Is He?

Rana highlighted the concerns of his deteriorating health, as He claimed to suffer from a 3.5 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm at immediate risk of rupture, Parkinson's disease with cognitive decline, and a mass suggestive of bladder cancer.

He claimed that he should not be sent into a "hornet's nest," where he would be targeted because of national, religious, and cultural animosities.

Trump Calls Refers As ‘Very Evil’

This comes after US President Donald Trump announced that his administration had approved Tahawwur Rana's extradition, referring to him as "very evil." 

The announcement followed the US Supreme Court's recent rejection of a review petition filed by Rana.

Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, faces charges in India for his role in the Mumbai attacks, which claimed over 174 lives. He was convicted in the United States for providing support to the banned organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). India has been pursuing his extradition for a long time.