19 November 2012 :

a Parliamentary committee has recommended reviewing the provision for death penalty for pirates involved in killing or attempt to murder cases in the proposed Piracy Bill, saying extradition of accused may be difficult if the maximum punishment was not reversed. Approving the Piracy Bill 2012, the Standing Committee on External Affairs said government may review the penalty considering the international nature of the crime, involvement of foreign actors and refusal by certain foreign governments to extradite criminals in view of existence of death penalty clause in Indian law. The panel also wants that security personnel authorised by the government to tackle pirates be provided certain legal immunity "for acts done in good faith". The Bill has been brought as India does not have a separate domestic legislation on piracy and prosecution for piracy as a crime has not been included in the Indian Penal Code, 1860 or in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The Bill was tabled in Parliament in the budget session. According to the bill whoever commits an act of piracy shall be punished with imprisonment for life except where the accused has caused death in committing the act of piracy or attempt thereof in which case he may be punished with death. The proposed law will also be treated as the legal basis for extradition of accused from countries with whom India does not have a bilateral agreement.