Canada-based Punjab native detained for unauthorised drone flight near Kochi synagogue
The Mattancherry police in Kochi detained a 66-year-old Punjab native who is now settled in Canada on Friday for allegedly flying a drone without the required permissions in a highly sensitive area near the Mattancherry synagogue.
The detainee was identified as Ashu Kumar Khanna of Amritsar, Punjab, who now lives in Ontario, Canada. According to the First Information Report, he was booked under Sections 289 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Section 289 deals with negligent conduct with respect to machinery, while Section 125 covers rash or negligent acts that endanger human life or the personal safety of others. He was also booked under Sections 22 and 49 of the Drone Rules, which relate to airspace zone permissions and carrying out any activity in contravention of the rules.
Mr. Khanna was later released after being served a notice, the police said. The FIR states that the drone was flown in an area classified as highly sensitive because it includes the synagogue, Coast Guard premises and INS Dronacharya, the Indian Navy's premier gunnery and missile training establishment.
The Drone Rules, notified in 2021, set out the conditions for operating drones in India. They require operators to register their drones, obtain remote pilot certificates where applicable, and secure permission for flights in restricted or sensitive airspace. The rules are part of the country's aviation security framework and are enforced to prevent unauthorised surveillance and other risks around protected installations and crowded public places.
The incident comes close on the heels of an alleged arson attack on the premises of the 800-year-old Kadavumbhagam Synagogue in Ernakulam. The Kochi City police had invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against Ebin Paul, the person accused in that case. The police have not said that the two incidents are linked.
The Mattancherry synagogue is a heritage site in Kochi's old town. The surrounding area has a security presence because of the Coast Guard and Navy installations. Drones are widely used for photography, mapping and recreation, but flights near protected installations require clearances. The detention has drawn attention to the use of drones in urban and heritage areas, where operators must check airspace restrictions before flying.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaced the Indian Penal Code in 2024. Section 289 and Section 125 are among the provisions used in cases involving negligence and risk to public safety. The Drone Rules provide for penalties for unauthorised flights, including in restricted zones.
