Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently refused to comment on Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's statement regarding the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, one of the suspects in the 26/11 terror attack case. Fadnavis was asked to react to Raut's statement that Rana should be hanged during Bihar elections, and he replied with, "I don't respond to fools, let them talk."
Fadnavis also showed his satisfaction with the extradition of Rana to India successfully, saying, "I am very happy that the mastermind of the Mumbai attacks, the one who hatched the conspiracy, Tahawwur Rana, has been brought successfully to India by the government." He stressed that the extradition was a big step, as Rana, the conspirator, was still on the loose even after the killing of Ajmal Kasab, one of the perpetrators. Fadnavis attributed this to Prime Minister Modi and assured that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would be assisted by the Mumbai police in their investigation if necessary.
Raut's words had created furor, because he said Rana needed to be hanged forthwith and went on to add that such a thing can be achieved within the Bihar polls. He questioned others who said they were the ones who managed to bring Rana back to India, explaining that the initiative to extradite him had continued for more than 16 years, dating way back during Congress rule. Furthermore, Raut urged for the extradition of economic offenders Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi and maintained that nobody should take exclusive credit for the return of Rana.
The response from Fadnavis was an obvious rejection of Raut, avoiding confrontation with such a remark and laying more emphasis on the need for legal action now that Rana had been extradited.
Read also| 26/11 Mastermind Tahawwur Rana Extradited from US, Arrested by NIA in India
