Canadian‑based Punjabi man detained for unauthorized drone flight near Kochi synagogue
TL;DR
- 66‑year‑old Ashu Kumar Khanna, a Canada‑settled Punjabi, was detained in Kochi
- He flew a drone in a zone containing a historic synagogue, Coast Guard and naval training base
- Charged under Indian criminal and drone regulations, then released after notice
- Incident follows recent arson allegation at an 800‑year‑old synagogue in Ernakulam
Police in Mattancherry, Kochi, detained Ashu Kumar Khanna, a 66‑year‑old native of Amritsar now residing in Ontario, Canada, for operating a drone without permission in a highly sensitive area near the Mattancherry synagogue.
The area includes the historic Kadavumbhagam synagogue, a Coast Guard facility and the Indian Navy’s INS Dronacharya gunnery and missile training establishment.
Khanna was booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with negligent conduct and endangering safety, as well as sections of the Drone Rules concerning airspace permissions and prohibited activities.
He was later released after being served a legal notice.
The incident occurs shortly after an alleged arson attack on the 800‑year‑old synagogue in Ernakulam, which had previously led local police to invoke the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against a suspect.
Why It Matters
The case highlights how Indian security laws apply to members of the Indian diaspora, underscoring the need for overseas Indians to be aware of local regulations when visiting India. It also draws attention to heightened sensitivities around religious sites and military installations, issues that resonate with Indian communities in the United States, Canada and India.
Oct 31, 2026 · Updated 10/31/2026, 5:58:40 AM · Reported with: The Hindu
Sources (1)
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