Section 4 Anti- Hijacking Act, 2016: Punishment for Hijacking—
Whoever commits the offence of hijacking shall be punished––
(a) with death where such offence results in the death of a hostage or of a security personnel or of any person not involved in the offence, as a direct consequence of the office of hijacking; or
(b) with imprisonment for life which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person’s natural life and with fine, and the movable and immovable property of such person shall also be liable to be confiscated.
Section 4 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, provides for the offence of hijacking and its punishment. The Act was enacted by the Indian Parliament to provide for the prevention and punishment of hijacking of aircraft and other offences related to it.
The section defines hijacking as an act of unlawfully seizing or exercising control of an aircraft, or attempting to do so, by force, coercion or any other means. It also includes any act of unlawfully and intentionally causing damage to an aircraft or its crew or passengers, or placing any device on an aircraft that is likely to cause damage or harm.
The punishment for hijacking under Section 4 is imprisonment for life, and a fine. If the hijacking results in the death of any person, the punishment is death, or imprisonment for life, and a fine. If the hijacking causes grievous harm to any person, the punishment is imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and a fine.
The section also provides for the jurisdiction of the Indian courts in cases of hijacking. Any offence of hijacking committed outside India by a person who is a citizen of India or is on board an Indian aircraft is deemed to have been committed within India, and the Indian courts have jurisdiction to try such offences.
In conclusion, Section 4 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, provides for the offence of hijacking and its punishment, and ensures that the Indian courts have jurisdiction to try offences committed outside India in certain circumstances. The section is a crucial provision in the fight against hijacking and other related offences, and serves as a deterrent to potential offenders.
