image for representation only
The Mattancherry police detained a Punjab native settled in Canada for flying a drone without requisite permissions in the highly sensitive area near the Mattancherry synagogue in Keralam on Friday (October 30, 2026).
The detainee was identified as Ashu Kumar Khanna, 66, of Amritsar, Punjab, now settled in Ontario, Canada. He was booked under Sections 289 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 125 (any act done so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Sections 22 (airspace zone permissions) and 49 (carrying out any activity in contravention of the Drone Rules) of the Drone Rules. He was later released after being served a notice.
Sensitive area
According to the FIR, Mr. Khanna flew the drone in a highly sensitive area comprising the synagogue, Coast Guard premises, and INS Dronacharya, the premier gunnery and missile training establishment of the Indian Navy.
The incident comes close on the heels of the alleged arson attack on the premises of the 800-year-old Kadavumbhagam Synagogue in Ernakulam. Prior to that, the Kochi City police had invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against Ebin Paul, the accused in the case.
Published – October 31, 2026 11:20 am IST
