NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said J&K must urgently use the new provision in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) allowing 'trial in absentia' of an accused declared as a proclaimed offender and who has absconded to evade trial with no immediate prospects of arrest. Shah made this observation while chairing a meeting here to review implementation of the new criminal laws in J&K, in the presence of LG Manoj Sinha and chief minister Omar Abdullah. The 'trial in absentia' provision is expected to facilitate trial in terror cases in J&K, given that the main accused in these cases - masterminds heading foreign terror outfits and handlers of the arrested accused - operate from safe havens in Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
By virtue of Section 355 and 356 of the BNSS, Pakistan-based terror masterminds can be put on trial in India and the judgment pronounced in their absence. Shah directed J&K authorities to ensure the full implementation of the new criminal laws - BNSS, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam - by April. Sources in the J&K LG's office said the infrastructure and systems required for 100% rollout of the new laws - across pillars of criminal justice like police, prisons, prosecution, courts and forensics - are at an advanced stage of readiness.
The training of the J&K Police in the new criminal justice system is nearly 72% complete, they added. Shah has asked this to be completed at the earliest. Briefing reporte.