2 held for flying drone in HAL

The HAL police detained two people for illegally flying a drone in the old airport premises. The duo were using a drone to capture video of an apartment belonging to Prestige Group, in HAL’s surrounding area on December 15.

The detained persons have been identified as Syed (24) and Bharath (28), both residents of Whitefield, working for a private advertising company.

Krishna Naik, chief manager, HAL Helicopter Division, filed a complaint on Thursday before the police, stating that, Hari Nair, a pilot, was flying a helicopter on December 15 for testing purposes. “Around 1.30 pm, some unknown persons were flying a drone in the area, which was detected by the radar. It could have posed a threat to the pilot’s life. Even after knowing that this may cause harm, the miscreants were flying the drone,” the complaint said.

HAL police, meanwhile, said that they have detained Syed and Bharath and are interrogating about permissions and licenses required to fly drones in a restricted area. Police are taking technical help from experts in the case as well. An officer further added that the accused were shooting an advertisement film, for a Prestige Group apartment in the area, which is over 1,000 feet high. “The drone was even flying above 1,000 feet, which was later detected by the radar,” he said.

Police have registered a case under IPC sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty).