Anti-Hijacking Bill extends to offences outside India under specific conditions

This Bill aims to give effect to the 1970 Hague Convention and the 2010 Beijing Protocol by updating India's laws on aircraft hijacking. It defines new types of unlawful acts against civil aviation and establishes penalties and procedures for their prosecution.

The law applies to any person (individual or entity) who commits or is involved in hijacking or related offences, whether inside or outside India. It also affects the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central and State Government officers, and Designated Courts responsible for investigation, prosecution, and trial.

• Defines hijacking to include seizure by force, threat, coercion, intimidation, or technological means, as well as threats, attempts, abetment, and organized participation.
• Prescribes the death penalty if hijacking results in the death of a hostage or security personnel; otherwise, imprisonment for life (remainder of natural life) and fine, with confiscation of property.
• Empowers the Central Government to confer arrest, investigation, and prosecution powers on NIA officers or other government officers.
• Establishes Designated Courts (Sessions Courts or NIA Special Courts) for speedy trials, with trials to be held on a day-to-day basis.
• Restricts bail: accused persons cannot be released on bail unless the Public Prosecutor has opposed it and the Court is satisfied of innocence and low risk of re-offending.
• Deems hijacking offences as extraditable under existing treaties and prevents them from being classified as political offences for extradition purposes.

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