On 31-01-2023, the President has given assent to Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, 2022. The Act has been enacted to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to repression of piracy on high seas and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Key points:
- The Act defines ‘Piracy’ as
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any illegal act of violence or detention or any act of depredation committed for private ends by any person or by the crew or any passenger of a private ship and directed on the high seas against another ship or any person or property on board such ship;
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any act of voluntary participation in the operation of a ship with knowledge of facts, making it a pirate ship;
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any act of inciting or of intentionally facilitating an act; or
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any act which is deemed piratical under the international law including customary international law.
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Attempt to Commit Piracy: Whoever attempts to commit the offence of piracy or aids or abets or conspires or procures for the commission of such offence shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years or with fine or with both.
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Organising or Directing Others to Participate: Whoever participates or organises or directs other person to participate in an act of piracy shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years or with fine or with both.
