New Delhi: India’s new anti-hijacking law, which provides for the death penalty for hijackers in the event of loss of life, has come into force following a government notification.
The 2016 Anti-Hijacking Act replaces a 1982-vintage law. Other punishments under the new law are life-imprisonment, besides confiscation of movable and immovable properties.
The new law, which has come into effect after its notification on July 5, includes several acts within the definition of hijacking, including making a threat as well as attempts or abatement to commit the offence.
According to news agency reports, those who organise or direct others to commit such offence will also be considered to have committed the offence of hijacking.
The new law mandates the central government to confer powers of investigation, arrest and prosecution on any officer of the central government or National Investigation Agency.
A bill to repeal 1982’s Anti-Hijacking Act was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on December 17, 2014. After a few days, it was referred to a parliamentary panel which gave a report on it in March 2015.
The Bill was passed on May 4, 2016, in the Upper House, and on May 9, 2016 in the Lok Sabha.
