A 22-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh was detained by the Colaba Police in Mumbai on Monday for operating a drone without the necessary police clearance in a high-security zone near the iconic Taj Hotel, an official said.
The drone activity was first detected by the Quick Response Team (QRT) during routine patrol duties. Upon spotting the unmanned aerial vehicle, the team tracked its signal to a parked vehicle near a jetty close to the Gateway of India. Inside, they found the man remotely operating the drone.
He was reportedly unaware that the area falls under a sensitive security zone, where flying drones without prior authorization from the police is strictly prohibited. The police seized the drone—a grey DJI Air 3S model—along with its controller. The equipment is estimated to be worth approximately ₹70,000.
Officials stated that the individual claimed ignorance of the local restrictions requiring special permission for drone use near the Taj Hotel and its vicinity.
In a related development, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday officially designated Mumbai as a ‘Red Zone,’ prohibiting the operation of all drones and similar flying devices—including remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders, hang gliders, and hot air balloons—until June 3. The decision is aimed at enhancing citywide airspace security amid ongoing concerns.
