As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares for an official visit to India, authorities in Ottawa are moving to revoke the citizenship of Tahawwur Rana, accused of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Rana, 65, was extradited to India from the United States in April and is awaiting trial for allegedly facilitating the 2008 attacks carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Why Canada Is Revoking His Citizenship

According to documents reported by Global News, Canada’s immigration authorities are not revoking Rana’s citizenship due to terrorism charges, but over alleged misrepresentation in his original citizenship application.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that:

Rana claimed to have lived in Ottawa and Toronto for four years before obtaining citizenship in 2001.
Authorities allege he was actually residing in Chicago during that period, where he owned businesses and properties.
Officials described this as “serious and deliberate deception” and a failure to disclose absences from Canada.

The case has now been transferred to Canada’s federal court, which will determine whether his citizenship should be formally revoked. Rana’s legal team has indicated they will appeal if necessary.

Background of the Case

Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian and former doctor in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps, migrated to Canada with his family in the late 1990s. He was granted Canadian citizenship in 2001.

In 2009, he was arrested in Chicago for his alleged role in the Mumbai terror attacks and was also accused of involvement in a plot targeting Denmark’s Jyllands-Posten newspaper.

India has long sought his extradition in connection with the 26/11 attacks that killed over 160 people and shocked the international community.

Diplomatic Context

The development comes just days before Prime Minister Carney’s India visit, making the timing diplomatically significant amid ongoing efforts to stabilise India-Canada relations.

While Canadian authorities maintain that the revocation process is based solely on citizenship misrepresentation, the case carries broader political and diplomatic implications.

Key Entities

Mark Carney – Prime Minister of Canada
Tahawwur Rana – Pakistani-Canadian Accused in 26/11 Case
2008 Mumbai Attacks (26/11) – Coordinated Terror Attacks in Mumbai
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) – Pakistan-Based Militant Group
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – Canadian Federal Immigration Authority

Final Verdict

Canada’s move to revoke Tahawwur Rana’s citizenship appears legally grounded in alleged immigration misrepresentation rather than terrorism charges. However, the timing — ahead of Prime Minister Carney’s India visit — adds diplomatic weight to the development.

The final decision now rests with Canada’s federal court, while Rana’s extradition and trial in India remain central to the long-running 26/11 case.