This was Rana’s last legal chance to avoid extradition to India. He had previously lost legal battles in several federal courts, including the US Court of Appeals. On November 13, Rana filed a “petition for writ of certiorari” before the US Supreme Court. The Supreme Court rejected it on January 21, a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as US President. The Supreme Court said that the petition has been rejected. Rana is currently in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.

On this basis Rana appealed

Rana argued that he was tried and acquitted in a federal court in Illinois (Chicago) on charges related to the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. India had also sought his extradition on the same charges on which the Chicago court had acquitted Rana. However, the US Solicitor General said the government does not believe the conduct for which India is seeking extradition falls within the scope of this case. Tahawwur Rana has lost legal battles in lower courts and several federal courts, including the US Court of Appeals. Now he might have made a last attempt to stop his extradition by filing a new application.

The US government also appealed to the Supreme Court to reject Rana’s petition.

The US government is also ready to extradite Rana and on December 16, US Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogger appealed to the Supreme Court to dismiss Rana’s petition. Rana’s lawyer challenged the US government’s recommendation and urged the Supreme Court to accept his writ. Rana’s petition will be heard on January 17. Rana is currently lodged in Los Angeles jail.

Rana was linked to Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, who was one of the key conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. A total of 166 people, including six Americans, were killed in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. In this attack, 10 Pakistani terrorists attacked important places in Mumbai for more than 60 hours and killed people.