Maharashtra government seeks trial in absentia for 2008 Mumbai terror attack masterminds

The Maharashtra government has requested a Mumbai court to initiate trials in absentia against six Pakistani masterminds accused of orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The group of accused includes Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam informed the court that authorities are seeking to serve formal legal proclamation orders through Interpol, as the suspects are believed to be residing in Pakistan. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has acknowledged the request to facilitate this international notification process.

The legal application relies on Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), a provision that allows courts to proceed with trials against proclaimed absconders to prevent judicial delays. This case may represent one of the first major terrorism trials to utilize the BNSS trial-in-absentia mechanism. The court has adjourned proceedings until September 17 to allow time for the international notification process.