"Should Receive Death Penalty": Shiv Sena's Shaina NC On Tahawwur Rana

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Thursday termed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana as a "major victory" for India and a long-awaited moment of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, while demanding the death penalty for the accused.

Speaking to IANS, Ms Shaina said, "As a Mumbaikar, I believe this is a major victory for every individual who lost someone in the 26/11 attacks. Tahawwur Rana's extradition is the result of Prime Minister Modi's consistent efforts and sustained diplomatic engagement since 2019."

Mr Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national and a close associate of David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, is being brought to India to face trial for his alleged role in the 26/11 attacks, which claimed 166 lives and left hundreds injured.

"We all want him to receive the death penalty -- he should be hanged for the heinous crimes of 26/11. Of course, legal proceedings will take their course. But for India, this is a significant moment. He is not only a key mastermind of the 26/11 attacks, but this is also the first time in history that someone is being extradited from the United States to India in such a case," Ms Shaina said.

She added that the extradition sends a strong signal to terror operatives and agents of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), who believe they are beyond the reach of Indian law.

"Now, they are within the grasp of justice and must be punished with the severest penalty, as swiftly as possible," she asserted.

"I am sure that a historic decision will be taken in this regard by the NDA government. I thank PM Modi, HM Amit Shah and NSA Ajit Doval for making this possible," she said.

According to officials, a special chartered flight carrying Mr Rana left the US on April 9. Upon arrival, he will be taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is coordinating his extradition with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Mr Rana, believed to have links with ISI and the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been charged under several Sections of Indian law, including criminal conspiracy, waging war against the Government of India, murder, forgery, and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

He is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward of Delhi's Tihar Jail upon landing and will be presented before a Delhi court soon after. The Mumbai Police, however, have yet to receive official communication about his transfer to the city.

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