NEW DELHI: Mumbai’s well-known tea seller Mohammed Taufiq, popularly known as ‘Chhotu Chai Wala’, whose quick thinking saved lives during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has said India should not extend any special treatment to Tahawwur Rana, similar to what was given to Ajmal Kasab, one of the convicted terrorists.
Speaking to ANI on the extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India, Taufiq said, “…For India, there is no need to provide him with a cell. Biryani and facilities like those given to Kasab. There should be a separate law for terrorists, a system should be in place so that they are hanged within 2-3 months…”
Rana is facing accusations of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in which hundreds of innocent lives were lost. He is now expected to face trial in India.
On April 7, the US Supreme Court denied Rana’s request to halt his extradition. Rana had submitted an emergency appeal to Chief Justice John Roberts on March 20, 2025, seeking a stay on the transfer.
The order issued Monday said, “The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied.”
As per Mumbai Crime Branch, the case against Rana was initially registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Delhi after the 26/11 terror attack that killed over 160 people.
While the extradition process is underway in connection with that case, officials said it’s yet to be determined whether Mumbai Police can formally request his custody for any part of their investigation.
“Only after examining the grounds of extradition will it be clear whether custody can be sought by the Mumbai Crime Branch in this matter,” a source said.
Authorities also confirmed that Mumbai Police have not received any official intimation so far regarding Rana’s transfer to the city for either interrogation or court proceedings.
Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian citizen, had earlier been convicted in the US for supporting Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and providing material aid to the group responsible for the deadly Mumbai attacks that claimed over 174 lives.
