US doc stopped from boarding flight at Puducherry for carrying satellite phone

A US-based ophthalmologist, heading for Hyderabad, was prevented from boarding a flight at the Puducherry airport for carrying a satellite phone with her.

According to officials, the doctor, Rachel Anne Scott, 32, was reportedly in Puducherry to meet doctors at the Aravind Eye Hospital. An Iridium satellite phone was allegedly seized from her possession, reported India Today.

Probe starts

Earlier, Scott had also visited several other places in the country, including Madurai. However, the remaining places are yet to be ascertained. After the airport authorities stopped her from boarding a Hyderabad-bound flight upon finding the satellite phone in her possession, they informed the Lawspet police, which initiated an investigation.

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What’s the rule?

Carrying satellite phones like Thuraya and Iridium is banned in India without prior authorisation from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) instructed all airlines entering the country to announce the ban in-flight and inform passengers through overseas offices and in-flight magazines.

As per the rules, travellers, including citizens of other countries, are prohibited from carrying and using such devices without prior written approval from the concerned authorities. It further states that such unauthorised satellite phones will be confiscated, and the person carrying them may face legal action.

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UK advisory

The UK, in its recently updated travel advisory, warned its citizens that they could be arrested or fined for carrying satellite phones in India, which has one of the strictest telecom rules in the world.

Earlier, similar incidents took place at Dehradun and Chennai airports.