Chapter III MISCELLANEOUS

Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) shall apply to the proceedings before a Designated Court and the person conducting a prosecution before a Designated Court shall be deemed to be a Public Prosecutor.

(1) The offences under section 3 and section 5 shall be deemed to have been included as extraditable offences and provided for in all the extradition treaties made by India with Convention countries and which extend to, and are binding on, India on the date of commencement of this Act. (2) For the purposes of the application of the Extradition Act, 1962 (34 of 1962) to offences under this Act, any aircraft registered in a Convention country shall, at any time while that aircraft is in service, be deemed to be within the jurisdiction of that country, whether or not it is for the time being also within the jurisdiction of any other country. (3) None of the offences mentioned in section 3 shall be regarded, for the purposes of extradition or mutual legal assistance, as a political offence or as an offence connected with a political offence or as an offence inspired by political motives and a request for extradition or for mutual legal assistance based on such an offence shall not be refused on the sole ground that it concerns a political offence or an offence connected with a political offence or an offence inspired by political motives.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), no person accused of an offence punishable under this Act shall, if in custody, be released on bail or on his own bond, unless,–– (a) the Public Prosecutor has been given an opportunity to oppose the application for such release; and (b) where Public Prosecutor opposes the application, the Designated Court is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that he is not guilty of such offence and that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail. (2) The limitations on granting of bail as specified in sub-section (1) are in addition to the limitation under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), or any other law for the time being in force, on granting bail. (3) Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to affect the special powers of the High Court regarding bail under section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).

The Central Government may, by notification, certify as to who are the contracting parties to the Hague Convention and to what extent they have availed themselves of the provisions of the Convention, and any such notification shall be conclusive evidence of the matters certified therein.

(1) If the Central Government is satisfied that the requirements of sub-section (2) have been satisfied in relation to any aircraft, it may, by notification, direct that such aircraft shall, for the purposes of this Act, be treated as registered in such Convention country as may be specified in the notification. (2) Where the Convention countries establish joint air transport operating organisations or international operating agencies, which operate aircraft which are subject to joint or international registration, shall, by appropriate means, designate for each aircraft, the country among them which shall exercise the jurisdiction and have the attributes of the country of registry for the purposes of the Convention and shall give notice thereof to the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organisation who shall communicate the notice to all Convention countries.

No prosecution for an offence under this Act shall be instituted except with the previous sanction of the Central Government.

In a prosecution for an offence under section 3 or section 5, if it is proved that–– (a) the arms, ammunitions or explosives were recovered from the possession of the accused and there is reason to believe that such arms, ammunitions or explosives of similar nature were used in the commission of such offence; or (b) there is evidence of use of force, threat of force or any other form of intimidation caused to the crew or passengers in connection with the commission of such offence, the Designated Court shall presume, unless the contrary is proved, that the accused has committed such offence.

(1) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of the provisions of this Act. (2) No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Central Government for any damage caused or likely to be caused for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of the provisions of this Act.

(1) Where any officer, referred to in section 6, while conducting an inquiry or investigation has a reason to believe that any property, movable or immovable, or both, is relatable to the commission of the offence in relation to which such inquiry or investigation is being conducted, is likely to be concealed, transferred or dealt with in any manner which will result in disposal of such property, he may make an order for seizing such property and where it is not practicable to seize such property, he may make an order of attachment directing that such property shall not be transferred or otherwise dealt with, except with the prior permission of the officer making such order, and a copy of such order shall be served on the person concerned. (2) Any order made under sub-section (1) shall have no effect unless the said order is confirmed by an order of the Designated Court, within a period of forty-eight hours of its being made. (3) The Designated Court may either confirm or revoke the order of seizure or attachment referred to in sub-section (2). (4) Notwithstanding the confirmation of the order by the Designated Court under sub-section (3), any person aggrieved by the order of attachment made under sub-section (1), may make an application to the Designated Court for revocation of said order within a period of thirty days from the date of confirmation of the order under sub-section (3).

Where any order is made by the Designated Court under section 4 for confiscation of movable or immovable property or both, of the accused, then, such property shall stand forfeited to the Government free from all encumbrances: Provided that the Designated Court may, during the period of such trial, order that all or any of the properties, movable or immovable, or both, belonging to the accused be attached, and in case such trial ends in conviction, then, the property so attached shall stand forfeited to Government free from all encumbrances.

(1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act. (2) Every rule made under this Act by the Central Government shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

(1) The Anti-Hijacking Act, 1982 (65 of 1982) is hereby repealed. (2) The repeal of the said Act shall not affect–– (a) the previous operation of, or anything duly done or suffered under, or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken including any notification, order or notice made or issued, or any appointment, confirmation or declaration made or any authorisation granted or any document or instrument executed or any direction given, under the Act so repealed, shall, in so far as it is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act; or (b) any right, privilege or obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under the said Act; or (c) any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any offence under the said Act; or (d) any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture or punishment as aforesaid, and, any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy may be instituted, continued or enforced and any such penalty, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed as if the said Act had not been repealed.