Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has hailed the extradition of Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana as a landmark diplomatic victory under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, declaring it a stern message to fugitives living abroad that India’s justice system will eventually catch up with them.
Speaking at a press conference, Sarma said, “Rana’s extradition is a big diplomatic victory because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji. American courts had acquitted him in the Mumbai terror case as there was no proper follow-up by the UPA government. He was in jail only in another case.” He emphasized the contrast in foreign policy approach between the current regime and the UPA era, criticizing the previous administration for its lack of pursuit in securing Rana’s extradition earlier.
Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, was brought to India on Thursday evening by National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials in a chartered aircraft, 16 years after the deadly 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed and over 238 injured. His extradition from the US paves the way for one of the key accused in the case to finally face trial in India.
Sarma further asserted that the development should serve as a wake-up call to all fugitives who have escaped Indian law. “The fugitives must remember that with Modi ji here, they will have to come back. They may be leading luxurious lives abroad now, but it is only a temporary reprieve,” he said.
The chief minister also shared a personal anecdote from the 2008 Mumbai attacks, recalling that he had booked a room at the Taj Hotel — one of the prime targets during the terror assault — but changed plans and checked into another hotel at the last moment. At the time, Sarma was a minister in the Congress-led state government in Assam.
Expressing confidence in India’s legal system, Sarma concluded, “We have full faith in the judiciary and it will give him (Rana) what he deserves.”