Mumbai: The Mumbai Police have initiated the legal process to conduct an in absentia trial against six Pakistani nationals accused of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, including Lashkar e Taiba chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed.
The police have formally approached Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, seeking the start of proceedings under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. A trial court has already issued proclamations against the six accused, paving the way for proceedings in their absence.
The accused include Hafiz Saeed, Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi, Sajid Mir, Abu Alqama, Asim alias Abu Qahafa and Major Abdur Rehman Pasha.
The 26/11 attacks remain among the deadliest terror attacks in India’s history. Ten terrorists entered Mumbai by sea on November 26, 2008, and carried out coordinated attacks at several locations over four days. A total of 166 people were killed and around 300 others were injured.
Once the court receives the required report confirming the proclamations, the trial proceedings against the six absconding accused are expected to formally begin. If they are convicted, the sentences can be enforced if and when they are brought to India.
Hafiz Saeed, identified as a key figure behind the Mumbai attacks, is also facing legal proceedings in connection with the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. A Jammu court issued a non bailable warrant against him after the National Investigation Agency named him in a supplementary chargesheet related to the case.
Twenty six people were killed in the Pahalgam attack, most of them civilians.
The latest move by Mumbai Police comes after years of efforts to bring the alleged Pakistani conspirators behind the 26/11 attacks to justice. The in absentia proceedings are aimed at allowing the Indian judicial process to move forward despite the accused remaining outside the country.
