Mumbai Police Seek In-Absentia Trial for Six 26/11 Terror Masterminds

News Arena India reports that Indian authorities have initiated legal proceedings to try six Pakistani nationals in absentia for orchestrating the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The Mumbai Police began the process on Monday, targeting individuals including Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi who remain in Pakistan. Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam is expected to submit a proclamation report to formally pursue those evading the Indian judicial system nearly 18 years after the event.

The Economic Times reports that Mumbai Police are moving to try Hafiz Saeed and five other Pakistani nationals in absentia for their alleged roles in the 2008 terror attacks. Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam confirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has been asked to serve proclamation orders through Interpol. The article notes that Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita mandates trials for proclaimed offenders who have absconded and cannot be immediately arrested.

Bar and Bench reports that the Maharashtra government has petitioned a Mumbai court to prosecute six alleged Pakistani masterminds of the 26/11 attacks in their absence. Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam noted that this is among the first major terrorism cases to invoke the trial-in-absentia mechanism under the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The court has adjourned proceedings until September 17 to allow time for the international notification process via Interpol to be completed.

ETV Bharat reports that Mumbai Police have initiated steps to try six absconding Pakistani nationals, including Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Hafiz Saeed, in absentia for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam informed a special court that the Union Home Ministry is working to serve proclamation orders via Interpol. The report emphasizes that the trial is being pursued under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which allows for proceedings against offenders who have evaded arrest.

The Mumbai Police have requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to serve proclamation orders via Interpol against six Pakistani nationals, including Lashkar-e-Taiba founders Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. This move seeks to facilitate a trial in absentia under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita for their alleged roles in the 2008 26/11 terror attacks. The prosecution cites evidence from captured attacker Ajmal Kasab and approver David Coleman Headley, while the court has scheduled a follow-up hearing for September 14.

The Maharashtra government has urged a Mumbai court to prosecute six absconding Pakistani masterminds of the 26/11 attacks in absentia. Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam reported that proclamation orders have been posted in public locations across Mumbai and requested service through Interpol via the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. If the fugitives fail to respond within 90 days of the notice, legal aid lawyers will be appointed to represent them. The case relies on testimonies from Ajmal Kasab and David Coleman Headley.