NEW DELHI: Hijackers will be given capital punishment in case of death of “any person”, says the new law which also mandates the Centre to hand over the probe of such an offence to NIA.
The term 'any person' has been expanded in the new law, cleared by President Pranab Mukherjee, to include death of 'security personnel on board' or 'ground support staff' as well.
In the old Act, hijackers could be tried for death penalty only in the event of death of hostages, such as flight crew, passengers and security personnel.
In other cases of hijacking, guilty will be punished with imprisonment for life and fine, besides confiscation of movable and immovable property held by him or her.
The Anti-Hijacking Act 2016 has received the Presidential assent on Friday, according to a notification issued on Monday.
