CM Fadnavis thanks PM Modi on 26/11 attack accused Tahawwur Rana extradition: ‘Finally, justice will be done’

Earlier in the day, during a joint press conference in the White House, US President Donald Trump confirmed the decision to extradite Rana and hinted at further extraditions in the future. “I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters (Tahawwur Rana) and one of the evil people of the world, having to do with the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack to face justice in India,” Trump said.

Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, was arrested in Chicago in 2009 for his role in a Pakistan-based terror network. However, he was acquitted of direct involvement in the 2008 terror attacks that rocked Mumbai on November 26.

The extradition of Rana would mark a significant step towards justice for the victims of the 26/11 attacks that left 175 people dead, including 18 security personnel and foreign nationals, and over 300 injured as 10 Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba gunmen carried out indiscriminate shooting at prominent places in South Mumbai. Amongst those killed included Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, Army Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, and senior police inspector Vijay Salaskar.

“Our jails are equipped to keep hard-core terrorists and plotters. In the past, we kept Ajmal Kasab. So, what is Tahawwur Rana? Our jails are ever ready to tackle such criminals,” Fadnavis said, after attending a meeting to review the implementation of three new criminal laws – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. The laws came into force across the nation on July 1, 2004.

The meeting was convened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in North Block.

“As far as Maharashtra is concerned we have already enforced all three laws and initiated the process of upgrading the infrastructure and institutions. We have set up 27 forensic vans to deal with criminal cases pending in courts for seven years and above. We have also taken measures to ensure quality in the collection of evidence,” Fadnavis said.

Forensic vans were rolled out in Maharashtra to bring forensic expertise directly to the crime scene through advanced technology, including block chain.

The government has set up a dedicated and designated cubicle in each court to facilitate online system and video conferencing to expedite trial, he said.

“We have succeeded in imparting training on new laws to 90 per cent of our two lakh police force. Even the remaining 10 per cent will be trained within six months,” he said.

The chief minister said the review meeting was very helpful and it was a learning experience.