National News
Tahawwur Rana not yet on plane to India, US ‘evaluating’ options
Washington, Jan 28: The United States’ State Department is “evaluating next steps” in regard to Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India that was upheld last week by the country’s Supreme Court, clearing the way for him to finally face justice for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
Rana is of Pakistani descent like David Coleman Headley, who is serving a long prison sentence in an US jail after pleading guilty for his complicity in the 2008 terrorist attacks in a deal with American authorities that protects him from extradition.
“In view of the recent Supreme Court decision, and consistent with applicable US law, the Department of State is currently evaluating next steps in this case,” a spokesperson for the agency said in response to an IANS request for information on the next steps following the court order and when is he likely to be despatched to India.
“We have long supported India’s efforts to ensure the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attacks face justice,” the spokesperson added.
The US has indeed been supportive of Indian efforts to bring the perpetrators of the attacks that left 167 people dead, including six Americans, and hundred wounded.
It has pushed Pakistan, where the terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Toiba were based and where they had been trained by the country’s Intelligence service, to punish the perpetrators.
The US also helped India’s case before the UN Security Council for designating Masood Azhar, the founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, an international terrorist, leading a group of permanent members to stymie Chinese attempts to block the effort.
For now, however, it seems unclear how soon Rana will be on a plane to India.
Rana was arrested by the US police in October 2009, just two weeks after Headley’s arrest, on three counts: Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in India, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in Denmark, and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organisation, according to a US court document.
Rana was convicted in June 9, 2011 by a jury of the terrorism conspiracy-charge related to Denmark and providing material support to Lashkar, but he was acquitted of the terrorism conspiracy related to the Mumbai attacks.
He was sentenced by the district court in 2013 to 14 years in prison. But after serving half of the sentence he applied for and was granted compassionate release in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
India had been moving, in the meantime, against him. On August 28, 2018, a Mumbai court in August 2018 issued a warrant for Rana’s arrest on charges related to the attacks, including, according to a US court document, (1) conspiracy to (a) wage war, (b) commit murder, (c) commit forgery for the purpose of cheating, (d) use as genuine a forged document or electronic record, and (e) commit a terrorist attack; (2) waging war; (3) murder; and (4) committing a terrorist act (2). India subsequently requested Rana’s extradition.
The day after Rana was granted compassionate release, the US Department of Justice filed a complaint for his provisional arrest in response to an extradition request from India.
A US court that deals with extradition cases rejected his claims in May 2023 and certified his extradition, dismissing his claims, according to the court document, (1) his extradition to India was barred under the Non Bis in Idem provision of the Extradition Treaty Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of India (the Treaty) and (2) India’s evidence against Rana failed to establish probable cause that Rana committed the offenses for which the certification of extradition was sought.
Basically, Rana had argued, he cannot be extradited to face charges on which he had been acquitted in the US.
Every court has rejected Rana’s claims and he may have exhausted his legal options.
Crime
Thane NDPS Wing Busts Drug Racket; Over 2.2 Kg Hashish Worth ₹1.10 Crore Seized In Mumbra, 1 Accused Arrested

Thane, Dec 06: Thane City’s NDPS branch has achieved a major success. Under an on-ground operation, the police have exposed an active gang selling narcotic substances. In this action, the police have recovered approximately 02 kg 201 grams of hashish (charas), the market value of which is estimated to be one crore ten lakh sixty-five thousand rupees.
This operation was led by Senior Police Inspector Nitin Shinde. His team included officers and personnel from the crime branch, who carried out this action based on secret information.
Police had received information that some individuals were selling hashish and other intoxicating substances in the Mumbra area. Following this, the team laid a trap, cordoned off, and caught the suspect in the Bandewadi area. A large quantity of hashish was recovered from his possession upon search.
The suspected accused has been identified as Moin Khan, alias Hasrat Ali Siddiqui. Preliminary interrogation revealed that he used to illegally procure hashish from Jammu and Kashmir and sell it in Thane, Mumbai, and surrounding areas. The accused already has several serious crimes registered against him.
In this regard, Mumbra Police has registered a case under NDPS Act 20(a)(i)(b), 29, and further investigation is underway. The police are also trying to find out who else is involved in this network and how far this hashish supply chain extends.
Mumbai Press Exclusive News
On the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, Mumbai’s streets reverberated with chants of “Allahu Akbar.”Peaceful protests and prayers for recovery were offered, with police on alert.

On the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition in Mumbai, mosques, streets, and intersections in the city and suburbs echoed with the call to prayer of Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, when the miscreants had demolished the Babri Masjid at 3:45 pm. Muslims believe that the Babri Masjid is a mosque from the throne to the floor and will remain a mosque until the Day of Judgment. Therefore, Muslims observed a black day of protest on December 6. Prayers were also offered for the recovery of the Babri Masjid on this occasion. Raza Academy had announced to observe a black day on the martyrdom of the Babri Masjid and to give collective azans in mosques. On this occasion, Raza Academy organized azan at the intersections of Muslim-majority areas, especially Minaret Masjid and other mosques. On this occasion, the police had made strict security arrangements. Muslim organizations also observed a black day by giving azan and protesting on the martyrdom of the Babri Masjid. Muslims also remembered the grief of the martyrdom of the Babri Masjid by posting statuses related to the Babri Masjid on social media and every Muslim looked sad.
33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition; Azans were given in the city on the appeal of Raza Academy. On the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, Raza Academy gave azan in different areas of the city at 3:45 pm. The aim of this initiative is to keep the memory of this historical event fresh and pay tribute to the martyrs of Babri Masjid. Raza Academy gave azan in particular at Khatri Masjid, Bunyan Road, Minare Masjid, Muhammad Ali Road Corner, Bhandi Bazaar, Neer Mandvi Post Office. On this occasion, scholars prayed for the recovery of Babri Masjid and made it clear that Babri Masjid was taken by fraud. Babri Masjid will remain a mosque until the Day of Judgment. The miscreants have tarnished the constitution of the country by demolishing this mosque, which will always remain a fresh wound like injustice. Raza Academy head Saeed Noori said that Black Day is observed on the martyrdom of Babri Masjid. On this day, Raza Academy organizes Azan and peaceful protests are held against this injustice. He said that miscreants targeted the mosque and martyred it while it was protected, but even today its perpetrators are free. The Supreme Court has also accepted that Babri Masjid was not built by demolishing a temple, while miscreants have put a stigma of oppression and injustice on the chest of the country. Every year on the anniversary of Babri Masjid, Raza Academy refreshes its memory by giving Azan. There is a sorrow that will always remain. Mumbai Police had made strict security arrangements on the anniversary of Babri Masjid and an alert was issued in the city.
National News
Mukesh Ambani, Shiv Sena UBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray & Son Aaditya Share Warm Greetings At Mumbai’s Swadesh Event

Mumbai: Reliance Industries Limited Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and son Aaditya were seen sharing warm greetings at Mumbai’s SWADESH event, which was held at Eros. SWADESH: An Artisanal Christmas Program at the Swadesh flagship store was held to honour India’s artists and artisans.
Mukesh Ambani, Uddhav Thackeray, and Aaditya Thackeray were seen engaging warmly as they toured exhibits featuring artisanal creations.
The event was also attended by several Bollywood celebrities, sports and business personalities, including Ranveer Singh, Deepika Paukone, Madhuri Dixit Nene and husband Dr Shriram Madhav Nene, Yuvraj Singh and wife Hazel Keech, Karisma Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh, Aneet Padda, Anand Mahindra, among others.
The artisians who were honoured by Nita Ambani include Shri Biren Basak, Padma Shri Awardee (2021) renowned for Tangail and Jamdani weaves; Shri V. Panneerselvam, Tanjore painter honoured with the Shilp Guru Award (2019) and National Award (2011); Shri Shammi Bannu Sharma, seventh-generation miniature painter and National President Awardee (2014); Shri GhanShyam Sarode, celebrated Paithani textile designer and handloom revivalist; Ms. Gunjan Jain, Odisha Ikat textile artist and National Award winner (2024).
Nita Ambani, Founder-Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, honoured artists and artisans at the celebration of the Swadesh flagship store. During the event, Nita Ambani wore a pair of antique kundan polki jhumkas, which were handcrafted over 100 years ago. On her hand rested a statement bird-shaped ring crafted in the jadau tradition using polki diamonds and rubies, a signature piece from Swadesh.
But perhaps the most personal detail was the ornate haath phool from her mother’s collection. Her look complemented her stunning peacock-blue Banarasi saree by Swadesh. The silk drape featured delicate meena work woven using the traditional kadhua technique, a method known for its fineness and the almost sculpted quality it lends to motifs.
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