 "Scottish hiker detained in New Delhi over use of Garmin inReach: What is this GPS device?")
On Thursday, a hiker from Scotland was detained at the Delhi airport for carrying a GPS device, which is banned in India.
On Instagram, Heather explained her experience and advised fellow travellers not to bring satellite communicators or devices like Garmin inReach to India because “they are illegal here.”
Here’s all we know about it.
What happened?
Heather was on her way to Rishikesh when she was turned over to the authorities by Indira Gandhi International Airport security for carrying a Garmin inReach GPS.
Taking to Instagram, Heather explained, “At around 10.30 am, I was passing through security at Delhi Airport with the intention of taking an internal flight to Rishikesh. I innocently placed my Garmin inReach in the tray to go through the scanner, and at that moment I was promptly pulled aside by security and told to wait.”
She said that after a lengthy wait, she was informed that the Garmin was banned in India and that they were “handing me over to the police.”
“I was eventually taken to the police station where I was questioned, in a fairly friendly manner, and made to sign document after document. I didn’t take the ‘no comment’ stance, foolishly or not, it is my nature to be honest, and after all, there was absolutely no intent on my behalf,” she wrote.
Heather claimed that she was released from police custody at around 9 p.m. after being held for several hours, but she was informed that she would need to make a court appearance.
“I am not the only person who has fallen victim to this law. Hence, I felt compelled to write this post,” she added while referring to a recent case involving a Canadian runner arrested in India in December for carrying a similar device.
She said she even called the embassy, but they informed her there was little they could do because she was now in the hands of Indian law.
Heather also said that the police refused to give her water while she was being held.
The Scottish hiker said she was overwhelmed by the detention, but she hoped that by sharing her experience, others would be spared a similar fate.
“I don’t know what the outcome will be. I guess I will just have to wait,” she said.
What is Garmin inReach?
Garmin inReach is a Swiss-based popular GPS and satellite messaging device often used by backpackers and climbers.
The company’s website has included India as one of 14 countries that may “regulate or prohibit the use or possession of a satellite communicator” or otherwise embargoed by the US.
The other nations where the device is banned are Afghanistan, Ukrainian Crimea, Cuba, Georgia, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Russia.
Features for direct satellite communication are becoming more and more common in modern cellphones.
The latest versions of Apple’s iPhones can make use of satellite connection.
Through satellite communication, iPhone users can keep in contact with emergency contacts, share their location, and send messages to emergency services while they are off the grid and without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity.
Why is it banned in India?
The prohibition on satellite communication came with the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933.
These older regulations were reinforced during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in which a terrorist group employed satellite communicators to plan bombings and shootings that claimed the lives of around 200 people, according to Global Rescue, a global medical and security evacuation service.
India bans illicit use of satellite communication technology, such as phones and other communication devices to prevent security risks and illegal surveillance, as per Times Now.
These devices might be used for potentially dangerous or illegal activities like smuggling, espionage, or getting around communication restrictions in sensitive locations.
Are there similar incidents?
A Canadian woman was detained at Goa’s Dabolim International Airport on December 6.
Tina Lewis was travelling to Kochi using a Garmin GPS device.
Security questioned her after she placed the device in the scanning tray, and armed guards then escorted her from the line.
The 51-year-old was detained for four hours and questioned about the device, missing her trip. Even though she was only fined $11, she had to pay more than $2,000 in bail and legal fees.
In another similar incident, a Czech national was booked in Goa on December 9 for allegedly carrying a Garmin Edge 540 GPS device, as per PTI.
The banned device was discovered at the Manohar International Airport in Mopa, North Goa while being screened.
Martin Polesny was charged and given a notice to appear before the Goa police under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933.
For the same reason, another American had been held at Chennai airport a month earlier.
With inputs from agencies
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