A US court has set the extradition hearing of Pakistan-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana for February 12, 2021, reported PTI.

Rana, was declared a fugitive by India following his involvement with the 2008 Mumbai terror attack case.

Rana, 59, was re-arrested in Los Angeles following an extradition request by India for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that claimed the lives of 166 people, including six Americans.

US District Court Judge in Los Angeles Jacqueline Chelonian issued an order stating that the Extradition Hearing, in this case, has been scheduled for February 12, 2021.

Rana has time till December 21 to file his opposition to the request for extradition, with the United States government filing its reply in another month’s time.

The United States on its 28th September motion supported the extradition of Rana to India where he has been charged with offences of conspiracy to wage war, commit a terrorist act, the waging of war, the commission of murder and a terrorist act.

Rana has raised objections to his extradition saying that since David Headley was not extradited, he too should not be extradited.

US Attorney Nicola T Hanna, however, has argued differently saying, “because Headley fulfilled the required terms, the plea agreement established that Headley would not be extradited to India.”

“Rana’s situation is different because he neither pleaded guilty nor cooperated with the United States. As a result, cannot avail himself of the benefits afforded to Headley through his negotiated plea. Such a position is neither inconsistent nor a bar to extradition,” he said.

While Headley had accepted responsibility for his conduct and pleaded guilty to all of the charges in the Superseding Indictment, Rana has neither pleaded guilty nor cooperated with the USA.

Federal prosecutors have stated that between 2006 and November 2008, Rana conspired with Headley, also known as ‘Daood Gilani”, and others in Pakistan to assist Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harakat ul-Jihad-e-Islami, both US-designated terrorist organisations, to plan and carry out the Mumbai terrorist attacks.