On 19th April, security officials recovered two satellite phones in the luggage of two US nationals during a routine check, following which they were detained. One of the detained individuals has been identified as Jeoffery Scot from Montana. Airport security questioned them and then handed them over to the police for further investigation.
Notably, the use of satellite phones is banned in India without prior permission from the government. Devices such as Thuraya and Iridium phones fall under strict regulation. If any person, including foreigners, is found carrying such devices, they can be detained, arrested and the phones can be seized as per the Indian Telegraph Act and other relevant security regulations.
Satellite phones pose a security risk, due to which their use is restricted in India. In the past, both Indian and foreign nationals have faced similar action. In May last year, a US-based ophthalmologist was stopped at Puducherry airport for carrying an Iridium satellite phone. She was prevented from boarding a flight to Hyderabad and a police investigation was initiated in the matter. In another case, a US doctor was detained at Shambhajinagar Airport in February.
On 30th January 2025, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation directed airlines operating flights to India to inform passengers about the restrictions imposed on carrying satellite phones through in-flight announcements, overseas offices and onboard publications. The directions were issued to curb such violations.
