First Ever Conviction under Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016

On 16^th June, 2019, National Investigation Agency Special (NIA) Court, Ahmedabad pronounced its judgment in the Jet Hijacking Case, making the accused Birju Kishor Salla the first convict under the Anti-Hijacking Act of 2016.

Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016

• It replaced the Anti-Hijacking Act, 1982, which had insufficient penalties and shortcomings such as hijackers could be tried only in the event of death of hostages, flight crew, passengers and security personnel. It gives effect to The Hague Convention of 1971 and the Beijing Protocol of 2010.
• The new definition of ‘hijacking’ includes an attempt to commit the crime, abetting, organising, participating in it as an accomplice, and unlawfully and intentionally assisting a person involved in hijacking to evade investigation or prosecution or punishment.