By Sushil Batra

New Delhi [India], March 7 (ANI): After the US Supreme Court denied Tahawwur Rana's request to stay his extradition to India in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, legal experts on Friday hailed the decision as a significant step toward justice and a diplomatic victory for India, saying that 'justice takes its course.'

Rana, a Pakistani-born Canadian businessman, is accused of providing support to the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He sought to prevent his extradition by presenting his minority status as a defense. However, the court found no merit in his plea and decided that he must face justice in India.

Experts said that this ruling eliminates a major legal obstacle, bringing India closer to ensuring that Rana stands trial for his alleged role in one of the country's deadliest terror attacks.

Senior Advocate Ujjwal Nikam called this a major win for Indian diplomacy, saying that Rana's attempt to use the 'minority card' to avoid extradition had failed.

'This is a win of Indian diplomacy. Tahawwur Rana tried to play the minority card to save himself. The US Supreme Court has rejected Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Ajmal Amir Kasab, another Pakistani national, was tried in an open court. Two lawyers were assigned to him by the court, and the world lauded the transparency of the process,' he said.

Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa said with the US Supreme Court's decision, Rana's legal options within the US are now extremely limited.

'Generally, Supreme Court rulings are final, and there are no further appeals within the US judiciary. While he may attempt to file a motion for reconsideration, such petitions are rarely granted. Alternatively, he could seek administrative relief through the US State Department, but such an appeal is highly unlikely to succeed,' he explained.

Pahwa further said that the Supreme Court ruling is a major breakthrough, and extradition is not necessarily immediate. The US State Department plays a role in implementing the decision. There may be logistical and diplomatic formalities, including coordination with Indian authorities. However, given the gravity of the charges and the US-India extradition treaty, his transfer to India could take place soon unless unexpected legal or administrative delays arise.

Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra said that barring any extraordinary last-minute intervention, Rana's extradition to India is now imminent. She mentioned that the legal framework for his defense has been exhausted, and the remaining process is largely administrative and procedural.

While the ruling removes the main judicial roadblock, some legal and administrative considerations remain. Concerns over potential torture or ill-treatment in India, raised under international human rights law, may be reviewed but are unlikely to prevent his extradition, Luthra added. (ANI)