THE ANTI-HIJACKING BILL, 2016

The Anti-Hijacking Bill, 2014 aims to give effect to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft and related matters. The bill seeks to provide a fresh framework for tackling hijackings and other threats against civil aviation, in light of recent incidents and the Beijing Protocol's new offences and strengthened extradition regime. Key provisions include expanded definitions of hijacking, capital punishment for offenders, confiscation of property, widened jurisdiction and extradition, and powers of arrest, investigation, and prosecution conferred on Central Government officers. The bill also provides for Designated Courts to try such cases, and repeals the existing Anti-Hijacking Act, 1982, with savings provisions ensuring continuity in investigations, legal proceedings, and remedies under the old law.