PRELIMINARYCentral
Section 1 of The Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, 2002
- (1)This Act may be called the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, 2002.
- (2)It extends to the whole of India including the limit of the territorial waters, the continental shelf, the exclusive economic zone or any other maritime zone of India within the meaning of section 2 of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976).
- (3)Save as otherwise provided, it shall apply--
- (a)to any offence under section 3 committed outside India by any person;
- (b)to a ship, if that ship is navigating or scheduled to navigate into, through or from waters beyond the outer limits of the territorial waters of India, or the lateral limits of its territorial waters with adjacent States;
- (c)when the offence is committed on board a ship in the territorial waters of India or against a fixed platform located on the Continental Shelf of India.
- (4)Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3), this Act shall apply only to offences committed by an offender or alleged offender,--
- (a)when such an offender is found in the territory of a Convention State;
- (b)when such an offender is found in the territory of a Protocol State in whose internal water or territorial waters or continental shelf the fixed platform is located; or
- (c)when such an offender is found in the territory of a State other than the State referred to in clause (a) or clause (b).
- (5)It shall come into force on such date 1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
Summary
- This law is officially named the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, 2002.
- The geographic extent of this Act includes the entire country of India, its territorial waters, its continental shelf, its exclusive economic zone, and any other maritime zone of India.
- It applies to any crimes specified under Section 3 that are committed outside of India by any person.
- It applies to ships navigating, or scheduled to navigate, beyond the outer limits of India's territorial waters, or beyond the boundaries shared with adjacent countries.
- It applies to crimes committed on board ships in India's territorial waters, or against fixed platforms located on India's continental shelf.
Practical examples
1On April 15, 2024, an Indian merchant ship named the Blue Wave is sailing from Chennai to Singapore. While the ship is navigating in international waters beyond India's territorial limits, a passenger named Arjun attempts to seize the vessel. Because the ship is navigating beyond India's territorial limits, Section 1 allows the provisions of this Act to apply.
2A foreign national named John damages a fixed oil drilling platform located on India's continental shelf on September 10, 2025. Even though the incident occurs far out at sea and John is not an Indian citizen, Section 1 ensures the Act applies because the crime was committed against a fixed platform on India's continental shelf.
FAQ
1. What is the official name of this law?
It is called the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, 2002.
2. Does this law apply to maritime areas outside of India's land borders?
Yes, it extends to India's territorial waters, continental shelf, exclusive economic zone, and any other maritime zone of India.
3. Can a person be prosecuted under this Act for a crime committed entirely outside India?
Yes, the Act applies to any offence under Section 3 committed outside India by any person, subject to the conditions listed in the law.
Test yourself
Q1.What is the official name of this Act?
Q2.Which of the following areas is NOT included in the extent of this Act?
Q3.Under which of these conditions does the Act apply to a ship navigating outside India?
Q4.On what date did the Act officially come into force?
Q5.Which Act is referenced in Section 1 to define the maritime zones of India?