The Union
Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave
its approval for introduction of the comprehensive Anti-Hijacking Bill
2014. The current law, the Anti-Hijacking Act, 1982, was last amended in
1994.
After the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 in December, 1999, it was felt necessary for providing the award of death penalty to perpetrators of the act of hijacking. The incident of 9/11, where aircrafts were used as weapons, also created the need to further amend the existing Act.
The Anti-Hijacking (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in August, 2010. During the process of amendment, a global diplomatic Conference was held at Beijing in August-September, 2010. India is a signatory to the Beijing Protocol signed at the Conference. This Protocol brought out new principal offences combined with ancillary offences, enlarged the scope of ‘hijacking’, expanded jurisdiction and strengthened extradition and mutual assistance regimes. The Bill provides death punishment for the offence of the highjacking, where such offence results in the death of a hostage or of a security personal; or with imprisonment for life and the moveable and immoveable property of such persons shall also be liable to be confiscated.
After the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 in December, 1999, it was felt necessary for providing the award of death penalty to perpetrators of the act of hijacking. The incident of 9/11, where aircrafts were used as weapons, also created the need to further amend the existing Act.
The Anti-Hijacking (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in August, 2010. During the process of amendment, a global diplomatic Conference was held at Beijing in August-September, 2010. India is a signatory to the Beijing Protocol signed at the Conference. This Protocol brought out new principal offences combined with ancillary offences, enlarged the scope of ‘hijacking’, expanded jurisdiction and strengthened extradition and mutual assistance regimes. The Bill provides death punishment for the offence of the highjacking, where such offence results in the death of a hostage or of a security personal; or with imprisonment for life and the moveable and immoveable property of such persons shall also be liable to be confiscated.
Main Features of Anti-Hijacking Amendment Bill, 2010
• The Bill wanted to amend the Anti-Hijacking Act, 1982. The Act states that any person (whether alone or in a group) who unlawfully, by force or intimidation seizes an aircraft commits the offence of hijacking is guilty of the offence
• The Bill enhances the penalty for hijacking to death or life imprisonment and fine as against the Act which stipulates a penalty of life imprisonment and fine for the offence of hijacking.
The Cabinet also gave approval for Ratification of the Beijing Protocol, 2010. India is a signatory of the Beijing Protocol that was signed at the global diplomatic Conference held at Beijing in August-September, 2010. This Protocol brought out new principal offences combined with ancillary offences, enlarged the scope of hijacking, expanded jurisdiction and strengthened extradition and mutual assistance regimes.
Keeping in view these facts, the Cabinet has given approval for:-
i. Ratification of the Beijing Protocol, 2010;
ii. Repealing of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 1982 as amended in 1994;
iii. Withdrawal of the Anti-Hijacking Amendment Bill, 2010 and
iv. Introduction of a new Anti-Hijacking Bill, 2014.