As of March 6, 2025, the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, the Pakistani-origin businessman accused of aiding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, remains stalled due to his last-minute legal maneuvers in the United States. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court rejecting his review petition on January 21, 2025, and clearing the way for his extradition to India, Rana has continued to use every possible legal recourse to delay the process. He recently filed an emergency application seeking a stay on his extradition, citing concerns about his treatment in India.
The U.S. Supreme Court officially took his emergency application on record on March 5, 2025, and is now set to decide on a hearing date. This unexpected legal twist has further prolonged the already complex extradition process, which had been expected to conclude swiftly after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally authorized his transfer to Indian authorities on February 11, 2025.
Rana's legal team has argued that his extradition should be halted due to potential risks, drawing parallels with the case of arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, whose extradition was stayed on similar grounds. In response, the U.S. government has maintained that all due diligence was carried out in evaluating his claims of potential torture, and officials have insisted that the decision to extradite him aligns with both U.S. law and international treaties, including the Convention Against Torture.
Meanwhile, Indian authorities are closely monitoring the situation. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has stated that India and the U.S. are actively working on the logistics of Rana’s extradition, but the latest legal hurdle has introduced an element of uncertainty. For India, bringing Rana to justice remains a top priority, as he is accused of facilitating the 26/11 attacks that left 166 people dead. His extradition is seen as a significant step in holding all those involved accountable.
While Washington and New Delhi had initially expected a smooth transfer following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on February 13, 2025—where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to extraditing Rana—the situation now hinges on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling. Until the court decides on his emergency stay request, Rana’s extradition remains in limbo, keeping both nations on edge as they await the next legal development.
