Process for 26/11 trial in absentia of Lashkar handlers Saeed, Lakhvi starts

The process to commence a trial in absentia against six Pakistani suspects in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks has commenced, as announced by special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. This marks the first instance of such a trial under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, a law introduced for conducting trials of absconding offenders to expedite justice. Section 356 of the BNSS enables the trial of individuals who are on the run, preventing potential delays in delivering justice.

The special court has issued a proclamation against Haafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Sajid Mir, Abu Alqama, Asim alias Abu Qahafa, and Major Abdur Rehman Pasha, who are accused of orchestrating the 26/11 terror attacks. These attacks claimed the lives of 166 individuals at various high-profile locations, including the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, the Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Jewish Center Nariman House, Cama Hospital, Cafe Leopold, and other sites.

Among the casualties were nationals from the UK, US, and Israel, with nine terrorists killed by the police and one apprehended, Ajmal Kasab.

Following the attacks, Saeed, Lakhvi, Mir, Alqama, and Pasha went into hiding and were later apprehended. The police have obtained blue and red corner notices against these individuals, while Interpol has been requested to issue similar notices to locate them. The court has directed the accused to appear at the special court on or before August 18, 2023, to face the charges.