Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed on Friday that the state government is ready to jail Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, once he is extradited from the United States. Fadnavis's statement followed the announcement by US President Donald Trump, who revealed that his administration had authorized the extradition of the "very evil" Rana, wanted by Indian authorities for his involvement in the 26/11 attacks, to face justice in India.
"We kept Kasab, what is the big deal here? We will keep him for sure," Fadnavis said here when asked about Maharashtra's preparedness once Rana is extradited.
Ajmal Kasab, one of the ten terrorists responsible for the November 26, 2008, Mumbai terror attacks, was apprehended at one of the attack sites in Mumbai. He spent four years in Maharashtra jails during his trial before being executed at Pune's Yerwada Central Jail in 2012. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that during the investigation, Pakistan's involvement in the terror attacks was uncovered and conclusively established.
“I want to profusely thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his (Rana) extradition. We all wanted that the person who conspired against us, the mastermind of the Mumbai terror attack to be handed over to India,” he said.
The Chief Minister stated that initially, the United States was hesitant to extradite Rana to India and sought to protect him. However, due to the efforts of Prime Minister Modi, the extradition of Tahawwur Rana has been effectively cleared by the US and its President, Donald Trump. "This is a significant development for India, as it is crucial that criminals face punishment through our judicial and legal system," he said.