Ottawa, Feb 24: The Canadian government has launched formal proceedings to strip Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key figure in the 2001 Mumbai terror attacks, of his citizenship. This development occurs just days before Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to arrive in India on February 26, a move seen by political analysts as an effort to stabilize diplomatic ties between Ottawa and New Delhi.
Rana, a 65-year-old Pakistan-born businessman, is currently in Indian custody following his extradition from the United States. While he faces trial in India for his alleged role in the Lashkar-e-Taiba coordinated attacks that killed over 160 people, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) based its revocation notice on administrative misrepresentation rather than terrorism charges.
According to documents obtained by Global News, the IRCC alleged that Rana engaged in a “serious and deliberate deception” regarding his residency requirements. While Rana claimed to have lived in Ottawa and Toronto for four years leading up to his 2001 citizenship grant, investigations by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) found he had spent the majority of that period in Chicago.
The department asserted that Rana’s failure to disclose lengthy absences misled officials into believing he met eligibility criteria. The IRCC stated that preserving the integrity of the citizenship system is an essential measure. Government lawyers maintained that the decision to revoke status is never taken lightly and is subject to rigorous judicial oversight.
The case has been referred to the Federal Court of Canada, which holds the authority to determine if citizenship was acquired through fraud or concealment of material facts. Rana’s legal team has challenged the move, declaring the decision unfair and a violation of his rights. A spokesperson for the immigration department affirmed that the Federal Court process ensures a fair hearing for all parties involved.
