India Reiterates Demand for David Headley’s Extradition as US Agrees to Send Tahawwur Rana
India has once again pressed for the extradition of David Coleman Headley, the key conspirator behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, following the US government’s announcement of Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India.
At a joint press briefing in Washington, US President Donald Trump confirmed the decision, stating, “We are giving a very violent man (Rana) back to India immediately. There are more to follow because we have quite a few requests.”
Headley Among Eight Names on India’s Extradition List
Headley, currently serving a prison sentence in Chicago, is one of eight high-profile fugitives whose extradition India requested during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US.
Among those on the list are gangsters Anmol Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, both wanted for serious crimes in India.
- Anmol Bishnoi, brother of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, is accused of orchestrating a conspiracy to murder former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique. He was arrested in the US in November 2024 for traveling on fake documents.
- Goldy Brar, a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is allegedly the mastermind behind the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. A key member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, he is wanted for multiple offenses including murder, attempted murder, and drug trafficking.
US Previously Denied Headley’s Extradition
Despite India’s long-standing request, the US had previously refused to extradite David Headley due to a plea bargain agreement he entered into with the US Department of Justice. This agreement ensured he would not be extradited in exchange for cooperating with American authorities.
Headley, originally Daood Sayed Gilani, is of Pakistani-American descent and played a pivotal role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks by conducting reconnaissance and selecting target locations for the operation.
ISI’s Role in Funding Mumbai Attacks
In 2016, the US granted Indian investigators access to Headley, during which he revealed critical details about Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) involvement in the attack.
He disclosed that the ISI provided him with ₹25 lakh to purchase a boat, which was later used by 10 terrorists to travel from Karachi to Mumbai in November 2008.
With the extradition of Tahawwur Rana now confirmed, India is intensifying its efforts to bring Headley and other fugitives back to face justice.