British woman emotionally warns travelers as she is arrested at Indian airport for owning a common GPS gadget after falling victim to a bizarre law
A British woman has issued an emotional warning to travelers after she was arrested and detained at a Delhi airport for carrying a conventional GPS device, which is banned in India.
Heather, a qualified mountain leader based in West Yorkshire, was on her way to the northern city of Rishikesh when security at Indira Gandhi International Airport handed her over to police for carrying a Garmin inReach device.
The experienced hiker shared her story on Instagram and warned other travelers who may be planning a trip to India not to bring equipment such as a GPS or satellite communicator into the country.
“Do not attempt to travel to India with a Garmin inReach or any other satellite communicator,” she said in her post, adding, “They are here illegally.”
In the clip, Heather said she even contacted the embassy, but was told there was little they could do as the law in India was now in her hands.
Heather also alleged that police denied her access to water during her detention.
In a detailed caption, Heather wrote, “Around 10:30 am I passed through security at Delhi airport intending to catch an internal flight to Rishikesh.
‘I innocently placed my Garmin inReach in the tray to go through the scanner, at which point I was promptly pulled aside by security and told to wait.’
Heather took to Instagram to warn travelers after she was arrested and detained for carrying a GPS device in India
The experienced hiker alleged that police denied her access to water during her detention
According to the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, possession of wireless telegraphy equipment without proper license is prohibited.”
The ban includes satellite technology, included in the Garmin inReach Mini device, which is described on the company’s site as a “go-to connection for maintaining off-the-grid contact.”
Heather claimed that after a long wait, she was told the Garmin was illegal in India “and they were handing me over to the police.”
‘Eventually I was taken to the police station where I was questioned in a rather friendly manner and made to sign document after document.
“I did not take the ‘no comment’ position, foolishly or not, it is my nature to be honest, and after all there was absolutely no intention on my behalf,” she added.
After spending several hours in police custody, Heather said she was released around 9 p.m. but was told she would have to return for a court appearance.
She added: “I am not the only person who has been affected by this law. That’s why I felt compelled to write this message.’
Heather also referenced a recent case involving a Canadian runner who was arrested in India in December for carrying a similar device.
Although she claimed that the detention overwhelmed her, she hoped that sharing her story would help others avoid a similar fate.
Heather was on her way to the northern city of Rishikesh when security at Indira Gandhi International Airport handed her over to police for carrying a Garmin inReach device (pictured)
“I don’t know what the outcome will be,” she said, adding, “I guess I’ll just have to wait.”
It comes after a Canadian trail runner on a months-long trip to India ran into trouble with airport authorities in Goa after they discovered an illegal item in her bag: a mini GPS device, banned under Indian law by legislation that almost century old. .
Tina Lewis, who now lives in Colorado, had already visited several other Indian airports without incident when she caught the attention of security in Goa.
“I brought my Garmin inReach device as I do for many of my international trips for camping, potential mountain adventures, and for use when there is no cell reception for safety as a solo female traveler,” Lewis wrote on two weeks ago Instagram.
‘To check in with family/friends. I was detained by the Airport Security (CISF) in Goa and escorted to the Goan Police Post for investigation. I didn’t know a GPS device was illegal. It’s a law from 1933 (!!!).
The description of the device online is followed by a prominent message: ‘CAUTION: Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communications equipment.
It is the user’s responsibility to know and comply with all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.’
Lewis wrote that after “hours of investigation,” she was released at midnight by a friend’s “lawyer connection.”
After “days in court,” her case was “finally resolved.”