India initiates in absentia trials for 2008 Mumbai attack conspirators

Indian authorities have initiated formal criminal proceedings to conduct trials 'in absentia' against six Pakistani nationals accused of conspiring in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. This marks the first time Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, has been applied to a major international terrorism case.

The legal proceedings target Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), along with several others including operational commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, handler Sajid Mir, Karachi control room manager Abu al-Kama, Asim (alias Abu Kahfa), and former Pakistani Army officer Major Abdur Rahman Pasha.

Following a request from Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti to Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Special Judge S.R. Navandar issued legal notices to the six accused, directing them to appear in court by August 18. If they fail to appear, the court is empowered to proceed with recording evidence, taking witness statements, and delivering a final judgment despite their absence.