Canada to revoke citizenship of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana ahead of Carney visit

Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian businessman, moved to Canada in 1997 and obtained citizenship in 2001.

He has been accused by Indian authorities of providing logistical support to the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people and injured more than 300.

He was extradited from the United States to India in April 2025 after prolonged legal proceedings.

Following his arrival, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) formally arrested him and produced him before a special court in New Delhi. He remains in NIA custody pending trial.

On May 31, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) notified Rana of its intent to revoke his Canadian citizenship, citing alleged misrepresentation in his citizenship application.

IRCC stated in a letter, as quoted by The Economic Times, “Your misrepresentation led decision-makers to believe that you had met the residence requirements for citizenship when it appears you had not.”

The proceedings have been referred to the Federal Court of Canada and are centred on whether Rana met the physical presence requirements for citizenship, rather than on the terrorism-related allegations, according to The Times of India.

Rana’s Toronto-based immigration lawyer has challenged the notice, arguing that the revocation process is unfair and that his client complied with the legal requirements at the time of his application, as reported by Global News.

The lawyer has sought judicial review of IRCC’s decision.

Rana, a former military doctor in Pakistan, was previously convicted in the United States in 2011 for providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba and for his role in supporting a foiled plot to attack a Danish newspaper.

However, a US court acquitted him of direct involvement in the Mumbai attacks. India later sought his extradition to stand trial under Indian law.

The move to revoke Rana’s citizenship comes days before Carney’s visit to India starting February 26.

The 2008 attacks, carried out by 10 gunmen linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted multiple locations in Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station and the Nariman (Chabad) House, killing not only innocent Indians but a large number of foreign nationals.

Photo: File Photo

The attacks strained India-Pakistan relations and remain one of the deadliest terror incidents in India’s history.

The prime minister is expected to begin his trip in Mumbai before holding high-level talks in New Delhi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two leaders are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in trade, energy, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as defence, talent mobility, and cultural ties.