Canada’s Big Move Against Mumbai Attack Accused Tahawwur Rana Before PM Carney’s India Visit

According to the IRCC report, Rana claimed he had resided in Ottawa and Toronto for four years before his application, declaring only a six-day absence from the country during that period. An investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), however, reportedly found that he had spent most of that time in Chicago, where he owned several properties and operated businesses, including an immigration consultancy and a grocery store, according to a Global News report.

The department accused him of “a serious and deliberate deception”, stating that his failure to disclose prolonged absences led authorities to wrongly conclude that he met the residency requirements for Canadian citizenship.

In a letter dated May 31, 2024, the IRCC informed Rana that his alleged misrepresentation had misled decision-makers into granting citizenship when it appeared he did not meet eligibility criteria.

The Legal Battle

The matter has now been referred to the Federal Court of Canada, which has the final authority to determine whether citizenship was obtained through false representation, fraud, or the concealment of material facts.

Rana’s legal counsel has challenged the revocation, arguing that the decision was unfair and infringed upon his rights. A hearing related to the case was held in federal court last week, during which government lawyers sought permission to withhold certain sensitive national security information.

An immigration department spokesperson said revoking citizenship in cases of misrepresentation was an essential measure to preserve the integrity of Canada’s citizenship system. The spokesperson added that the government does not take such decisions lightly and that the Federal Court ensures fairness in the process.

The Global News reviewed the past cases, which showed that such revocations are rare, with only a handful reported in the past decade.

On April 10, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) formally arrested Rana after his extradition from the US. He was escorted to New Delhi on a special plane from Los Angeles, US.