US court rejects bail plea of Mumbai terror plotter

The bail plea of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana was rejected by a US court. Rana in his bail plea stated that his health is in a poor condition but

Washington: A US court has dismissed the bail plea of Pakistani-Origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack case. India has declared Rana a 'fugitive'.

Around 166 people, including six Americans, were killed in the 26/11 terror attack which lasted for four days and shook Mumbai.

In his bail plea, Rana stated that his health is in a poor condition and he had suffered two heart attacks while in jail early this year. He also argued that he was not a threat to the community which was strongly opposed by the US government.

Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Chooljian, the US District Court of Los Angeles, in his order on December 10 said that Rana "presented a robust bail package" and offered conditions that significantly mitigate the risk of flight.

But the 'Court cannot find that he has negated the risk of flight' and as such granted the request of the US government to the continued detention of Rana.

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Rana, 59, a childhood friend of David Coleman Headley, was rearrested on June 10 in Los Angeles on an extradition request by India for his involvement in the Mumbai.

India requested the US government that the documents submitted by it in connection with the extradition should not be made public. India apparently submitted extradition documents about Rana's involvement in Mumbai terrorist attack.

US Attorney Nicola T Hanna in a court submission said that India has requested that the United States take steps to limit public dissemination of this document

Headley was involved in the Mumbai terror attack and is incarcerated for the last 35 years.

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