Police have decided to invoke criminal charges that carry jail time against tourists using drones around the Taj Mahal
Police have decided to invoke criminal charges that carry jail time against tourists using drones around the Taj Mahal. The decision to crack down on drone users was taken on Sunday, as warnings have not served as a deterrent.
According to officials, drones were seen in and around the world heritage monument nearly 20 times in 2017, but despite the provision of initiating criminal action against the users, no action has been taken by police to date.
City superintendent of police Kunwar Anupam Singh said a person caught using a drone around the Taj would be booked under sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the IPC.
Saying the use of drones was strictly prohibited in and around the Taj due to "security reasons", Singh said they will first start an awareness campaign to ensure people are aware of the rule. "We are contacting hotel owners and their associations and briefing them about this and are advising them to make their guests aware of this prohibition," he added.
The CISF commandant for Agra, Brij Bhushan said, "Flying of such machines can only be stopped if police take appropriate action against offenders. This will deter others from using drones in or around the Taj."
According to officials, drones were seen in and around the world heritage monument nearly 20 times in 2017, but despite the provision of initiating criminal action against the users, no action has been taken by police to date.
City superintendent of police Kunwar Anupam Singh said a person caught using a drone around the Taj would be booked under sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the IPC.
Saying the use of drones was strictly prohibited in and around the Taj due to "security reasons", Singh said they will first start an awareness campaign to ensure people are aware of the rule. "We are contacting hotel owners and their associations and briefing them about this and are advising them to make their guests aware of this prohibition," he added.
The CISF commandant for Agra, Brij Bhushan said, "Flying of such machines can only be stopped if police take appropriate action against offenders. This will deter others from using drones in or around the Taj."