The New Anti-Hijacking Act - Notable additions & what got overlooked

The lingering threat of aircraft hijacking by militant organisations compelled our lawmakers to review our existing legislation and preparedness towards such exigencies. The new Anti-Hijacking Act (Act), passed by the Lok Sabha on 9th May 2016, gives effect to The Hague Convention of 1971, and the Beijing Protocol of 2010 and has introduced some radical changes in the legislation which was outdated.

The aim of the Act is to broaden the scope of the term ‘hijacking’ by including in its definition even the making of a threat to commit an offence of hijacking. It’s now also an offence to unlawfully and intentionally cause any person to receive a threat under circumstances that indicate that the threat is credible. Additionally, the amended definition includes within its scope those who organize or direct others to commit the offence and also holds such individuals guilty of abetment of hijacking.

Another notable feature of the new legislation is, the universal jurisdiction which includes inter-alia, if the hijacker is Indian, or if the hijacked aircraft is registered in India or if any foreign registered aircraft lands in India with the alleged offender still on board or when the aircraft is hijacked anywhere in the world and an Indian citizen is on board.

The Act goes a step ahead by even defining the term ‘in-service’.  An aircraft is considered in-service from the beginning of the pre-flight preparation by ground personnel or by the crew for a specific flight until 24 hours after landing. Further, in case of a forced landing, the flight is deemed to continue in-service until the competent authorities take over responsibility of the aircraft and for the persons and property on board.

From a punishment perspective, the Act stipulates death penalty where the offence results in the death of a hostage or security personnel and life imprisonment in all other cases. It also provides for capital punishment against conspirators and abductors of any of the acts of hijacking, so that all those involved, directly or indirectly, are brought to book. For the first time, the Act provides for the confiscation of moveable and immoveable property of a person convicted under the Act.

Another notable inclusion relates to a designated court to provide a speedy trial for offences relating to hijacking. The accused shall be tried by a Sessions Court, which is notified to be a designated court by the concerned state government. Such a designated court shall as far as practicable, hold the trial on a day-to-day basis. This court shall, as far as practicable, hold the trial on a day-to-day basis.

While a great improvement from the existing legislation, which was last amended in 1994, the Act has some shortcomings. The term ‘aircraft’ is identified as any aircraft whether or not it is registered in India. This excludes an aircraft that is used in customs or police service, which should have been included.

It would have helped if there was also a provision to cover ‘hoax calls’ with proportionate punishment. Instances of receiving hoax calls create panic and scare resulting in serious complications for passengers. They also cause a nightmare for security agencies that end up wasting their resources and time to verify the authenticity of the call. Moreover, even the terms ‘hostage’ and ‘security personnel’ have not been defined in the Act. The Act as stated above, only prescribes a punishment with death where the offence of hijacking results in the death of a hostage or security personnel. In the case of an intervention, especially an armed intervention by security personnel, there is a possibility of the death of other persons and consequential punishment needs to be prescribed.

The Act also does not protect ground staff and security personnel at the airport. While an aircraft is on the ground or is being prepared for departure, a prospective hijacker may commit an act of violence against the ground personnel. In its current form, the Act defines the punishment for acts of violence connected with hijacking and covers only violence against passengers or airline crew. It therefore overlooks violence against ground staff or security personnel which is equally necessary.

The Act should also have considered providing extra-territorial status or immunity from jurisdiction for the benefit of the passengers and the crew in the State to which an aircraft may be hijacked. This type of rule, which should also apply to all cases of unscheduled landings in a foreign country, is urgently needed, particularly in the event of an unlawful seizure of an aircraft.

On the whole, the new legislation is a welcome move as India tightens its stand on dealing with hijacking incidents. Hijacking has become a significant area of international aviation law causing great concern globally. India has showed its concern by updating its legislative machinery and by establishing an effective means of combating hijacking. Let’s hope we don’t have to test the applicability of these laws anytime soon!

Satvik Varma is a Harvard Law Graduate & Vikrant Pachnanda graduated Cornell Law. Both lawyers practice in New Delhi.