Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said the extradition of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana sends a clear message to fugitives living in luxury abroad — they will have to face justice in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

Calling it a major diplomatic achievement, Sarma said the extradition was made possible due to Modi's efforts, and pointed to the lack of action by the previous UPA government in pursuing the case effectively.

"Rana's extradition is a big diplomatic victory because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji. American courts had acquitted him in the Mumbai terror case as there was no proper follow-up by the UPA government. He was in jail only in another case," Sarma said at a press conference held in Guwahati.

Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, was brought to Delhi on Thursday evening by NIA officials aboard a chartered aircraft following his extradition from the United States. His return marks the end of a 16-year wait to prosecute one of the main accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed 166 lives and left more than 238 injured.

"We have full faith in the judiciary and it will give him (Rana) what he deserves," Sarma added, complimenting the prime minister’s efforts.

A message to fugitives

The chief minister further stated that Rana’s extradition should be seen as a warning to others who have fled the country.

"The fugitives must remember that with Modi ji here, they will have to come back. They may be leading luxurious lives abroad now, but it is only a temporary reprieve," he said.

Recollections of 2008 attacks

Sarma also shared a personal memory from the 2008 Mumbai attacks, recalling that he had initially booked a stay at the Taj Hotel — one of the sites targeted by terrorists — but chose to stay at another hotel at the last moment. At the time, he was serving as a minister in the Congress-led Assam government

PTI