Anti-hijacking law set to be made tough

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Earlier, the death penalty was mandated only in case of the death of hostages or a security personnel.

In addition, punishment would include confiscation of the moveable and immoveable property of the offenders, sources added.

Another amendment to the Bill relates to enlarging the definition of hijacking from “in-flight” to “in-service”, government sources said.

“An airplcraft would be considered to be in-service from the time it is being prepared for a specific flight by the crew or ground personnel until 24 hours after any landing,” a source told The Indian Express.

The new amendments also seek to expand the definition of a hijacker.

“In the new Bill, the term hijacker would include a person who organises or directs others to commit hijacking, who participates in a hijacking as an accomplice and who assists any person to evade investigation, prosecution and punishment in a hijacking case,” the source said.

The amendments also seek to enhance the jurisdiction Indian courts can exercise in a hijacking case.

“Indian courts will be able to exercise jurisdiction in case the offence is committed against or by an Indian citizen on board a flight anywhere, irrespective of the country where the offence has been committed. This also includes hijacking by stateless persons,” a government source said.

The Anti-Hijacking Bill 2014 was introduced in Rajya Sabha in December 2014 by the government.

It was then referred to a standing committee. Now the government plans to incorporate these new amendments and move the Bill afresh in Rajya Sabha in the ongoing session of Parliament.