British tourist warns over banned GPS devices in India
A British mountain guide from West Yorkshire has issued a warning for travellers. She shared her account shortly after being arrested at the Delhi airport. The reason might surprise you.
The British woman was detained at the airport in Delhi for possessing a Garmin inReach GPS device. In India, such devices are banned according to the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933.
Heather was travelling to the northern city of Rishikesh when security at Indira Gandhi International Airport confiscated her device and handed her over to the police. She took to Instagram to warn others about bringing GPS devices or satellite communicators to India.
On Instagram, she provided a detailed account of what transpired at the airport.
I was promptly pulled aside by security and told to wait. I was eventually told that the Garmin was illegal here and that they were handing me over to the Police - she revealed.
After a few hours of waiting, she was taken to the police station, where she was questioned and forced to sign numerous documents. She was finally released around 9 PM but was informed that she must appear in court.
I dont know what the outcome will be at present, this all feels totally overwhelming and I guess I will just have to wait - she added.
The British woman’s difficulties. Another such case
The ban on satellite devices in India stems from an outdated law from 1933, which prohibits possessing telecommunications equipment without the proper license. Devices such as the Garmin inReach, designed for communication outside network coverage, are subject to this ban.
Heather emphasised that she is not the only person who has fallen victim to this law. In December of the previous year, a similar incident occurred to a Canadian runner, Tina Lewis, who was detained at the airport in Goa for carrying a mini GPS device. After several days of questioning and court appearances, her case was finally resolved.
