Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], April 12: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Saturday asserted that the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana was made possible due to efforts initiated during the UPA government’s tenure, and therefore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not be credited.
Singh said, “Tahawwur Rana was involved in the 26/11 attacks, and his extradition was only possible because the UPA government included his name in the investigation at the right time, leading to his arrest in the US. After serving 14 years in prison, he was extradited to India. Congress initiated this process, and Modi ji deserves no credit.”
Echoing Singh’s remarks, Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram also criticized the Modi government, accusing it of taking undue credit for Rana’s extradition.
“In February 2025, Prime Minister Modi and President Trump stood at a press conference and tried to take credit for what was essentially the result of years of UPA-era groundwork,” Chidambaram said in a statement. “By February 17, Indian officials confirmed Rana’s role in the 26/11 conspiracy, dating back to 2005, when he coordinated with LeT and ISI operatives. Finally, on April 8, 2025, US authorities handed Rana over to Indian officials. He arrived in New Delhi on April 10.”
Tahawwur Rana, 64, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, has been extradited to India to face trial on 10 criminal charges related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which killed over 160 people.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) successfully secured his extradition after prolonged legal and diplomatic efforts. Rana had exhausted all legal remedies in the US before being handed over to Indian authorities.
He was brought to India on April 10 and presented before an NIA court, which remanded him to 18 days of custody for further investigation.