Youth Faces Legal Action for Illegal Drone Operation Over Jayakwadi Dam Reservoir
A 26-year-old man from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has found himself in legal trouble after flying a drone over the Nathsagar reservoir, which is part of the Jayakwadi dam complex. The anti-terrorism branch (ATB) of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar rural police has registered an offence against him for conducting unauthorized aerial shooting in this notified 'no-drone zone' located near Paithan.
Details of the Drone Violation Incident
The accused, identified as Manoj Dehade, a resident of Padegaon in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, allegedly carried out drone videography at the reservoir and subsequently shared the footage as social media reels. According to police officials, the ATB received specific intelligence indicating that an individual had illegally operated a drone in the high-security Nathsagar area and uploaded the visuals online.
A dedicated team led by assistant police inspector Dinkar Gore meticulously scrutinized the suspect's social media accounts and discovered videos that clearly confirmed the violation. The investigation revealed that Dehade visited Nathsagar on March 15 specifically to conduct drone filming activities.
Legal Charges and Regulatory Violations
The case has been formally registered against Dehade at the Paithan police station under multiple legal provisions. These include BNS section 223, relevant provisions of the Drone Rules, 2021, and section 10 of the Aircraft Act, 1934. Superintendent of police Vinaykumar Rathod emphasized that Dehade failed to seek necessary permissions from either the district collector's office or the police department before operating the drone, constituting a clear violation of established norms.
Key aspects of the violation include:
- Operation in a designated no-drone zone without authorization
- Failure to obtain mandatory permissions from local authorities
- Potential security implications in a sensitive reservoir area
- Distribution of aerial footage through social media platforms
Further investigation into the matter is currently underway as authorities examine the full scope of the violation and potential security implications. This incident highlights the increasing enforcement of drone regulations in sensitive areas across the country, particularly near critical infrastructure like dams and reservoirs.
