15.07.2026

Statement I:Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) enables a court to conduct a complete criminal trial in the absence of the accused, provided the accused is a proclaimed offender who has absconded to evade trial and there is no immediate prospect of arrest.

Statement II:The recent move by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to seek trial in absentia against Hafiz Saeed under Section 356 of the BNSS reflects the use of this provision in cases involving proclaimed offenders accused of grave offences with no realistic prospect of securing their presence before an Indian court.

Statement III:The introduction of trial in absentia under the BNSS dispenses with procedural safeguards such as notice, legal representation, and opportunity to appear, in order to ensure speedy disposal of criminal cases.

Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct?

1. Statement II provides an empirical illustration supporting the legal principle stated in Statement I.
2. Statement III contradicts the procedural framework implicit in Statement I.
3. Statements I and III together establish that speedy trial under the BNSS overrides the constitutional requirement of a fair trial.

Options:

1. It is a maritime passage where the principle of transit passage under international law is generally applicable, and mandatory tolls cannot ordinarily be imposed for mere navigation.
2. A large proportion of India's crude oil, LNG and LPG imports pass through this route, making disruptions there capable of affecting India's inflation, current account balance and energy security.

III. Attempts by a single country to levy unilateral transit charges on international shipping through this passage have raised questions regarding legality, freedom of navigation and customary international law.

1. Strategic competition among regional and extra-regional powers over this passage often influences global energy markets and international shipping.

The above statements have been associated with which of the following?

1. Freedom of navigation in international straits
2. Maritime energy security and global oil supply chains
3. International river navigation regime under the Helsinki Rules
4. Strategic maritime chokepoints in global trade

Select the answer using the code given below:

1. It is a shallow bay forming part of the Laccadive Sea and is connected to the Palk Bay through the Palk Strait.
2. It was designated as India's first marine Biosphere Reserve before being declared a National Park.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?