Washington: A US court has rejected Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana’s plea for a status conference with prosecutors, wanted in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack case, saying he will have to wait for a status conference if he is extradited to India within the next 30 days. The decision is expected to come. Los Angeles District Court Judge Jacqueline Chooljian held a previous hearing on the issue in June 2021, and the last set of papers was submitted to the court in July 2021. This court is yet to pass judgment on the US government’s request to extradite Rana to India.
In a petition filed through his lawyer last month, Rana requested that the court allow the prosecution and the defense to discuss the matter and the provision for commutation of sentence on pleading guilty. His lawyer said, that ‘the last court debate in this case took place on July 21, 2021’. In view of the passage of time and Rana continuing behind bars, it seems appropriate for this Court and the lawyers to discuss the present status of the matter.”
His counsel suggested that the status conference be held on April 25, but the court, in an order dated April 17, rejected the application. The court order states, “The request made in the petition to keep the court informed about the latest status of the matter is allowed. The concerned parties are advised that the court is expected to issue a decision on the matter in 30 days.
The same order states, “The Court denies the request for a status conference because the Court is of the opinion that this proceeding is unnecessary and will not assist the Court in the disposal of this case.” During the court hearing, federal prosecutors Rana had argued that Rana was aware that his childhood friend David Coleman Headley was associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and by assisting Headley and covering up his activities, he was helping the terrorist organization and its associates. In 2008, 166 people, including six Americans, lost their lives in the Mumbai attacks. This attack was carried out by Lashkar terrorists.
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