Pune: Professional Photographer Arrested For Flying Drone Near Defence Area In Lonavala
Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 17th September 2021: A photographer was arrested and released by Pune rural police for allegedly flying a drone close to the INS Shivaji, a naval institution, and Air Force station in Lonavala.
According to police, the accused Venkatesh Tejas Bommana (26), a resident of Janta Vasahat, Pune, had got an order for the pre-wedding photoshoot. He had covered some parts in Alibaug and the remaining was to be done in Lonavala.
The incident took place around 10 am on Thursday. Navy security observed an unidentified drone between INS Shivaji main gate and Air Force Station in Lonavala and sounded an alert considering the use of drones in the past to target defence establishments in north India.
The Navy team searched the area but the photographer and his team members managed to escape in a vehicle. However, the drone and his vehicle were photographed. Other central agencies were also intimated.
An FIR was registered today at Lonavala city police station after a written complaint from the INS Shivaji security officer. Police arrested the photographer for an offence under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Police Inspector Dilip Pawar said the accused photographer was arrested and released on bail. “Bommana had not taken prior permission for drone shooting. He did not fly the drone inside the defence area but near it. After enquiry, he was released. We have seized the drone”, Inspector Pawar told PunekarNews.in
