US reluctant to release Rana
It will strain ties with India: US attorney
Washington, June 21: Describing 26/11 convict Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman as a flight risk, the US has opposed his release on bail, arguing that if he were to flee to Canada, he may escape the possibility of a death sentence in India.
Given the stakes, allowance of bail in any amount would not guarantee Rana’s presence in court. Granting bail would invite the possibility of embarrassing the United States in the conduct of its foreign affairs, straining its relationship with India, Assistant US Attorney John J. Lulejian told a federal court in Los Angeles last week.
Rana, 59, who was released from jail on compassionate ground after testing positive for the Covid-19, was rearrested in Los
Angeles on June 10 following an extradition request by India, where he is a declared fugitive.
On Friday, US District Judge Jacqueline Chooljian of the Central District of California scheduled his bond hearing for June 30.
His attorney has been asked to submit his plea by June 22 and the federal government’s response is due by June 26.
In his submission on behalf of the US government, Lulejian urged the Los Angeles court that Rana be not released pending resolution of the extradition proceeding against him to India.
Moreover, to protect the US ability to meet its treaty obligations to India, the US attorney also requested the court to notify the parties within a reasonable time in advance of any contemplated release order.
Asserting that Rana is a flight risk, and arguing that his escape to Canada would jeopardize his extradition to India, the US attorney said the court should detain him without bond.
India seeks his arrest on a number of offences, including the conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit forgery for the purpose of cheating, and murder under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). - PTI
Rana, 59, who was released from jail on compassionate ground after testing positive for the Covid-19, was rearrested in Los Angeles on June 10 following an extradition request by India, where he is a declared fugitive.