India’s big action against Pahalgam attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, Jammu court issues non-bailable warrant

Srinagar: A Jammu court has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Lashkar-e-Taiba leader and main conspirator of 26/11 Mumbai attacks Hafiz Saeed. This decision, which came on the petition of the investigating agency NIA, is being considered very important. It is believed that now legal action can be taken against Hafiz Saeed in India even in his absence and the hearing of the case can be expedited.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) told the court that Hafiz Saeed is currently present in Pakistan and it is not practically possible to bring him to India. The agency said that based on the available evidence it is necessary to continue the legal process against him.

After considering the arguments of NIA, the court issued a non-bailable warrant against Hafiz Saeed. This has strengthened the way for further legal action against him. Earlier on July 6, NIA in its supplementary charge sheet had named Hafiz Saeed as the main conspirator of the Pahalgam terror attack. Now the process of declaring him a fugitive will also be started.

What is ‘trial in absence’?

Such a provision has been made in the new criminal laws of India, under which if an accused is hiding abroad, is deliberately not appearing before the court and there is sufficient evidence of serious crimes against him, then the case can be prosecuted even in his absence. In this process, first of all the court issues summons to the accused and then issues warrant. If even after this he does not appear in the court, he can be declared a fugitive. After this the court can continue hearing the case even in the absence of the accused. This legal system is called ‘trial in absentia’.

NIA called him a big conspirator

The investigating agency says that Hafiz Saeed has been plotting many major terrorist attacks in India for a long time. According to NIA, the Pahalgam terrorist attack was also planned in Pakistan and Hafiz Saeed played an important role in it. The agency also told the court that the chances of his extradition from Pakistan were almost over. In such a situation, it is necessary to prosecute him under the new legal provisions, so that the judicial process is not affected and the case can be taken to its logical conclusion.

Many other accused also included in the charge sheet

In the initial charge sheet of NIA, three Pakistani terrorists Suleman, Jibran and Hamza Afghani were also made accused. Apart from this, the name of Pakistan-based terrorist Sajid Saifullah Jatt, associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, is also included in the investigation. The investigating agency has also made Bashir Ahmed and Parvez Ahmed, residents of Pahalgam, accused in this case. The agency alleges that these people played a role in helping the terrorists and carrying out the attack conspiracy.

26 people were killed

Pahalgam terrorist attack is considered to be one of the most serious terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. 26 people lost their lives in this attack, while many others were injured. After the incident, there was anger across the country and security agencies started a large-scale investigation campaign.