18 Years Later, India Uses New Law to Pursue 26/11 Masterminds
What Happened
India has initiated trial-in-absentia proceedings against six Pakistan-based accused linked to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, including Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Sajid Mir. The move relies on Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), a provision that allows courts to continue criminal trials even when proclaimed offenders remain abroad and evade arrest.
Key Takeaways
The new law could help break a nearly 18-year legal deadlock caused by the inability to extradite key accused from Pakistan. If the court proceeds, it can record evidence, hear witnesses and deliver a verdict even without the accused being physically present in India.