By: The Trek News Desk
In a significant development ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s proposed visit to India, the Canadian government has begun formal proceedings to revoke the citizenship of 26/11 Mumbai terror accused Tahawwur Rana.
According to media reports, Canadian immigration authorities have notified Rana that his citizenship, granted in 2001, may be cancelled. Officials clarified that the action is not directly linked to terrorism charges but is based on allegations that he provided false information during his citizenship application.
Rana, 64, who was born in Pakistan and later became a Canadian national, is known to have been closely associated with David Coleman Headley, one of the key conspirators behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
As per documents cited in the report, Rana immigrated to Canada in 1997 and applied for citizenship in 2000. In his application, he reportedly claimed that he had resided in Ottawa and Toronto for four consecutive years, leaving the country for only six days.
However, an investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) concluded that Rana had actually spent most of that period in Chicago, where he owned several properties and operated businesses.
The Canadian immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), described the case as a “serious and deliberate deception,” stating that the alleged misrepresentation led authorities to wrongly approve his citizenship.
The government has referred the matter to the Federal Court of Canada, which will determine whether the citizenship was obtained through fraud or by concealing material facts. Rana’s legal team has challenged the move, arguing that the decision is unfair and violates his rights. A hearing in the case was held recently.
Government lawyers have also requested permission to withhold certain sensitive national security information from public disclosure during court proceedings.
Rana was extradited from the United States to India in April 2025. Upon his arrival in New Delhi, he was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks claimed 166 lives and remain one of India’s deadliest terror incidents.
A spokesperson for the Canadian government stated that revoking citizenship obtained through misrepresentation is an important measure to uphold the integrity of Canadian nationality laws. She emphasised that such decisions are not taken lightly.
Reports indicate that only three similar citizenship revocations have occurred in the past decade. The move comes at a time when diplomatic discussions between India and Canada continue over sensitive bilateral issues.
Source: News Agencies
