Dutch nationals detained for flying drone near India Gate, let off

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police detained two Dutch nationals last week for allegedly flying drones near India Gate. The two were let off after police found they were unaware about the rules prohibiting flying of drones in certain areas of the city.

On March 6, the air traffic controller at Delhi airport noticed the drone on the radar around 7pm near the India Gate area, police officials said.

A message was circulated to the Delhi Police control room and police found the two Dutch men who were using a drone for aerial photography. After scanning the photographs, they were informed about the law and let off.

Officials said the civil aviation ministry is preparing to draft a law to restrict the use of drones. New Delhi area is proposed to be a restricted zone in the anti-drone policy, the officials said.

Confirming the incident, Madhur Verma, deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) said, “We verified the photographs and the identity of the tourists. Nothing objectionable was found.”

Officials said five similar cases were reported a day before the India Gate incident. On March 5 , Delhi Police had informed the ATC about the presence of a “small helicopter” over the President’s house.

“Around 7am, ATC spotted a suspicious flying object on Runway 27. Minutes l ater, we received the call related to the helicopter. Then around 8:30am, another suspicious flying object was noticed around 10-12 nautical miles to the east of Runway 27.

Again at noon, another flying object was noticed about 12 nautical miles southeast of the Runway 27. Finally at 3:30pm, an Indigo pilot who was landing on Runway 27, said he noticed a black drone nearby,” said an airport official, who did not wish to be named.