Ottawa: In a major diplomatic development ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s official visit to India, the Canadian government has initiated formal proceedings to revoke the citizenship of Tahawwur Rana. Rana, a Pakistan-born businessman, is a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and is currently in custody in India awaiting trial.
The move by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is seen as a strategic effort to repair bilateral ties with New Delhi, which reached a historic low under the previous administration. While Rana’s alleged involvement with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the 26/11 attacks remains a central concern for Indian authorities, Canada’s legal grounds for stripping his citizenship are based on “serious and deliberate deception” during his naturalization process.
According to government documents, Rana obtained Canadian citizenship in 2001 after immigrating in 1997. However, an investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) found that Rana significantly misrepresented his residency. While he claimed to have resided in Ottawa and Toronto for four years with only a six-day absence, investigators discovered he spent the majority of that period in Chicago managing his various business interests. The IRCC contends that this misrepresentation misled authorities into granting citizenship for which he was not actually eligible.
The case has now been referred to the Federal Court of Canada, which holds the final authority on such revocations. Rana’s legal team has challenged the move, arguing that the process is unfair and infringes upon his rights. Last week, Federal Court proceedings included discussions on government requests to withhold sensitive national security information related to the file.
The timing of this legal push is significant. Prime Minister Carney is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 26 to discuss “unlocking new opportunities” in trade, defense, and technology. By taking action against a high-profile figure associated with India’s most devastating terror attack, Ottawa appears to be signaling a new era of cooperation on security and regional stability.
