Tahawwur Rana's extradition: Most Mumbai attacks survivors, families demand strict punishment

MUMBAI: The imminent extradition from the US and legal trial in India of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana has evoked a flood of emotions within survivors who battle injuries and memories 16 years on.

Victim Devika Rotawan, who was barely 9 then, and the youngest witness to depose in the case, said, "I am pleased that the Indian govt's efforts to extradite Tahawwur Rana have finally borne fruit after 16 years. My father and I are hopeful that his interrogation will unravel the whole information about the real masterminds of the attack. Be they in Pakistan or elsewhere, all the criminals who killed 166 people and destroyed countless more lives, must be brought to justice. Rana's return is a big victory for us. But I will definitely demand the death penalty for him, and for all others who were involved. So many citizens were killed or maimed, and we lost such precious officers. I cannot forget or forgive—it would be like forgiving terrorism."

Rabbi Israel Kozlovsky, who heads Chabad House in Colaba, which was attacked and now houses a memorial to the martyrs, was overcome to hear the news. "I am happy to hear this. Justice has to be served," he said.

Sanjana Shah of Tao Art Gallery is the daughter of real estate magnate Pankaj Shah of Satellite Builders, who was killed in Hotel Oberoi. She walks a spiritual path. Sanjana says she has made her peace with the tragedy that upended the lives of her family including mother Kalpana and brother Sarjan. "Personally, I feel the issue with terrorism is deeply ingrained in the system that brainwashes these people. I have made my peace with it and I would not wish to blame anyone. We need to get to the root of the problem. Of course, it was a very tough time for me and my family. I would not wish this upon anyone—to lose someone you love in such a violent manner. But this news (of Rana's extradition) does not make me happy or bring peace. Peace has to be found within."


"My opinion may not be a popular one among the survivors of this tragedy. Of course justice must be given to the families but do I feel a sense of gratification or vindication because of it? Not really, because these terrorists are just the disposable conduits—the source is the bigger issue," she said.

Meanwhile, Subhash Shinde of Solapur, father of SRPF constable Rahul Shinde who was martyred in Hotel Taj, said strict punishment to all accused will be a befitting tribute to slain police officials and other victims. "So many people were killed, and the trauma lingers in my mind 16 years on," he said. "As Rana's role has come to light in the attack, we should not spare him by keeping him alive in jail; he should be hanged," the 65-year-old said. "Whenever I talk about it, I can visualise the terrible images. The damage we suffered, the loss of lives of our policemen, soldiers and citizens, cannot be forgotten. Exposing the whole conspiracy and punishing all the accused in the attack will be a befitting tribute."

Mumbai: The imminent extradition from the US and legal trial in India of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana has evoked a flood of emotions within survivors who battle injuries and memories 16 years on.


Victim Devika Rotawan, who was barely 9 then, and the youngest witness to depose in the case, said, "I am pleased that the Indian govt's efforts to extradite Tahawwur Rana have finally borne fruit after 16 years. My father and I are hopeful that his interrogation will unravel the whole information about the real masterminds of the attack. Be they in Pakistan or elsewhere, all the criminals who killed 166 people and destroyed countless more lives, must be brought to justice. Rana's return is a big victory for us. But I will definitely demand the death penalty for him, and for all others who were involved. So many citizens were killed or maimed, and we lost such precious officers. I cannot forget or forgive—it would be like forgiving terrorism."

Rabbi Israel Kozlovsky, who heads Chabad House in Colaba, which was attacked and now houses a memorial to the martyrs, was overcome to hear the news. "I am happy to hear this. Justice has to be served," he said.

Sanjana Shah of Tao Art Gallery is the daughter of real estate magnate Pankaj Shah of Satellite Builders, who was killed in Hotel Oberoi. She walks a spiritual path. Sanjana says she has made her peace with the tragedy that upended the lives of her family including mother Kalpana and brother Sarjan. "Personally, I feel the issue with terrorism is deeply ingrained in the system that brainwashes these people. I have made my peace with it and I would not wish to blame anyone. We need to get to the root of the problem. Of course, it was a very tough time for me and my family. I would not wish this upon anyone—to lose someone you love in such a violent manner. But this news (of Rana's extradition) does not make me happy or bring peace. Peace has to be found within."

"My opinion may not be a popular one among the survivors of this tragedy. Of course justice must be given to the families but do I feel a sense of gratification or vindication because of it? Not really, because these terrorists are just the disposable conduits—the source is the bigger issue," she said.

Meanwhile, Subhash Shinde of Solapur, father of SRPF constable Rahul Shinde who was martyred in Hotel Taj, said strict punishment to all accused will be a befitting tribute to slain police officials and other victims. "So many people were killed, and the trauma lingers in my mind 16 years on," he said. "As Rana's role has come to light in the attack, we should not spare him by keeping him alive in jail; he should be hanged," the 65-year-old said.

"Whenever I talk about it, I can visualise the terrible images. The damage we suffered, the loss of lives of our policemen, soldiers and citizens, cannot be forgotten. Exposing the whole conspiracy and punishing all the accused in the attack will be a befitting tribute."