Punishment for hijacking
Section 4 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016 deals with 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; The Act came into force on 05 Jul 2017.
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, The Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016 (Act 30 of 2016).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Referred to by 1
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Birju Kishorekumar Salla v. State of Gujarat
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
NIA Act / CrPC 439 bail appeal also under Anti-Hijacking Act 2016 s.8(3). Court examines whether printed threat-note in cabin bag is credible hijacking threat under s.3 and punishable under s.4(b); applies SOP diversion facts. DATE VERIFIED Oral Judgment 2018-05-09 (order-4.pdf).
On this section: Punishment under s.4(b) framed in bail arguments and considered on facts.
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Hari Singh v. State
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Conviction under Anti-Hijacking Act 1982 s.3 for seizing/threatening control of aircraft IC 439 upheld; life under s.4 is mandatory. Appeal dismissed. DATE VERIFIED Final Order 2011-03-29 (order-1.pdf).
On this section: Mandatory life under 1982 s.4 maps to 2016 punishment structure teaching.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 4
What have the courts held on Section 4 of the Anti-Hijacking Act?
Birju Kishorekumar Salla v. State of Gujarat (09 May 2018) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Punishment under s.4(b) framed in bail arguments and considered on facts. Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below. They run from 2011 to 2018.
How do I find court cases under Section 4 of the Anti-Hijacking Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Anti Hijacking Act 2016 4, section 4 Anti Hijacking Act 2016, section 4 of the Anti-Hijacking Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Birju Kishorekumar Salla v. State of Gujarat (09 May 2018).
What should I read with Section 4 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, and has it changed?
1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.
When did Section 4 of the Anti-Hijacking Act come into force?
Section 4 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, cited as Anti Hijacking Act 2016 4, came into force on 05 Jul 2017, having been enacted on 13 May 2016. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 3. Hijacking442 words
- 2. Definitions440 words
- 9. Offences triable by Designated Court336 words
- 18. Powers of investigating officers to seize or attach property239 words
- 7. Jurisdiction218 words
- 11. Provisions as to extradition200 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 19 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.