Mumbai: A 22-year-old youth was arrested by the Mumbai Police after he was caught flying a drone in the Colaba area, without permission. The incident unfolded late Monday evening, raising alarms amid a temporary ban on drone activity across the city.
The Quick Response Team (QRT) on patrol noticed the vehicle from which the drone was being controlled. The team reached the vehicle by keeping an eye on the movements of the drone.
The drone, identified as a DJI Air 3S model, was being operated from inside the car. The team approached the vehicle, detained the youth on the spot, and confiscated the drone and remote control equipment, valued at approximately Rs 70,000.
Authorities have confirmed that the drone was flown in violation of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) directive, which has declared Mumbai a ‘red zone’ for all drone operations until June 3. This ban is part of a broader security protocol ahead of key public events and heightened geopolitical sensitivity in the region.
Police officials have launched an investigation to determine the youth’s intentions and whether the act was a naive oversight or had deeper implications. With aerial surveillance becoming increasingly scrutinised, this incident has renewed calls for public awareness around drone regulations and urban airspace restrictions.
The Mumbai Police has put a temporary ban on the use of drones and other remote-control flying devices across the city until June 3. The ban has been imposed in view of the heightened security after the Pahalgam Terror attack on April 22, as Mumbai has been a target of terror attacks in the past.
