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
Suspicious passenger apprehended at Delhi Jama Masjid Metro Station after trying to flee during screening

Alert personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) apprehended a passenger at Delhi’s Jama Masjid Metro Station after he allegedly attempted to flee when a suspicious object was detected during his baggage screening.
According to the CISF, the incident came to light when the passenger’s baggage was being screened through an X-ray Baggage Inspection System (XBIS). During the examination, personnel noticed a dense and suspicious object on the scanner screen.
Sensing something unusual, the security personnel attempted to examine the matter further. However, the passenger allegedly tried to escape from the screening area, according to CISF.
Displaying promptness and alertness, CISF personnel immediately chased him and apprehended him near the station’s exit gate before he could leave the premises.
A subsequent examination of his belongings led to the recovery of an unidentified semi-solid substance concealed inside a stitched portion of his undergarment, the CISF said.
According to reports, the passenger reportedly claimed to be a non-resident Indian (NRI) residing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Following the recovery, the CISF handed over the passenger, along with his belongings and the suspected substance, to the police for further investigation.
The nature of the semi-solid substance and the reason behind its concealment remain unclear. Police are investigating the matter to establish the identity of the substance and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The CISF’s swift intervention prevented the passenger from leaving the station without further examination.
The force said its personnel remain alert during the screening of passengers and their baggage to ensure compliance with security protocols and prevent any potential threat to metro commuters. Further action in the case will depend on the findings of the investigation, said the police officials.
Crime
Bihar MLC election: Three FIRs filed against Anant Singh, Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh

Amid campaigning for the biennial elections for eight MLC seats on October 23 in Bihar, police have registered three FIRs in connection with alleged violation of election rules during a roadshow in the Mokama Assembly constituency of Patna district.
The roadshow was held on Sunday. The cases have been registered against local MLA Anant Singh and Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh, according to police sources.
Of the three cases, two were registered at Barh police station and one at Mokama police station in Patna district.
The police are investigating the alleged violations and examining the circumstances surrounding the roadshow.
According to police sources, the action followed complaints of violations of the Model Code of Conduct and other applicable regulations during the Member of Legislative Council (MLC) election-related event.
The allegations concern compliance with rules governing political roadshows and public campaigning.
However, the specific allegations against each leader and the legal sections invoked in the FIRs have not yet been independently confirmed.
The registration of the cases has triggered political discussions in the Mokama and Barh areas, where election-related activities have intensified.
During the MLC election period, candidates and political parties are required to comply with the Model Code of Conduct and applicable rules governing public meetings, roadshows, permissions and traffic management.
Authorities can initiate legal action when alleged violations are reported.
However, the filing of an FIR does not establish guilt. The allegations against Anant Singh and Anuj Singh will be subject to investigation and the due process of law.
Police said further action would be taken on the basis of the evidence collected and the findings of the investigation.
Additional details are awaited.
Anant Singh, the JD(U) MLA from Mokama in Patna district, has openly extended his support to Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh and is campaigning against his own party’s official nominee, Neeraj Kumar, in the upcoming MLC election.
Anant Singh said his decision to support Anuj Singh stemmed from a personal dispute with Neeraj Kumar. He clarified that his move had nothing to do with his political relationship with the JD(U).
The election for eight Legislative Council seats is scheduled to be held on October 23, with counting of votes and announcement of results set for October 27.
National News
‘Owaisi, BJP are twins’: Congress MP accuses AIMIM chief of splitting Oppn votes

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Monday hit back at AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi over his recent remarks, accusing him of acting as an agent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Tiwari claimed that election results demonstrated how Owaisi’s party had contributed to splitting minority votes, prompting him to describe the AIMIM chief and the BJP as “twin brothers”.
The exchange comes amid political preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, with parties sharpening their positions and trading allegations ahead of the electoral contest.
Addressing a gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, Owaisi had declared that he would “never make a Nehru, a Gandhi, or a Yadav” his leader. He also stressed the need to provide greater opportunities to young people from the Muslim community.
“Muslim youth have as much potential as people from other communities… However, they are not given a platform,” Owaisi had said, adding that the AIMIM would provide them with opportunities to move forward.
Responding to the AIMIM chief’s remarks, Congress MP Tiwari accused him of working to divide opposition votes in favour of the BJP.
Speaking to media, Tiwari said, “What standing does Owaisi have to even suggest someone like a Gandhi or a Nehru? His sole function, whether intentional or otherwise, is to divide the minority vote at the behest of the BJP. I can say with full confidence that this individual works for the BJP, as evidenced by election outcomes.”
Tiwari further cited electoral results in Maharashtra and Bihar to support his allegations, claiming that the AIMIM’s electoral performance had helped the BJP and its allies by splitting votes that could otherwise have benefited other candidates.
“In Maharashtra, while his party won four seats, it also caused other candidates to lose in 22 constituencies by splitting the vote, ultimately paving the way for a BJP-led government. He did something similar in Bihar … The results clearly show that he operates as an agent for the BJP. Owaisi and the BJP are twin brothers,” he added.
This comes as political parties begin gearing up for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Tiwari also commented on the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
He argued that protecting citizens’ voting rights was essential and called for a change in government through the democratic process.
“The government in the country must be changed. The nation’s economic situation and foreign policy have both failed. The public wants relief from inflation and unemployment, and a change in government is essential to safeguard the right to vote. We want to change the government democratically through elections, and for that right to vote must be safeguarded,” Tiwari said.
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