In Brief
- Mumbai Police invoked Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, marking its first use in a major terror case.
- Proclamations target six absconding Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, including Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, and Sajid Mir.
- The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that India will take "whatever action is required" to defeat cross-border terrorism.
India has initiated trial in absentia proceedings against six Pakistan-based accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks (26/11) case.
The Mumbai Police, working with Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, invoked Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The law allows courts to try absconding offenders in their absence to prevent indefinite judicial delays. Court proclamations were issued for LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, handler Sajid Mir, Abu Alqama, Abu Qahafa, and Major Abdur Rehman Pasha.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India will take all necessary steps to combat cross-border terrorism and hold its orchestrators accountable. The historic proceedings ensure that foreign state protection will no longer indefinitely stall legal accountability under Indian law.
