Karnataka High Court Dismisses Criminal Case Against Drone Manufacturer
In a significant ruling, the Karnataka High Court has quashed the investigation and legal proceedings against a Bengaluru-based drone manufacturing and research firm, Newspace Research and Technologies Private Limited, over allegations of criminal trespass involving its unmanned aerial vehicle. The case, which had been registered by the Doddaballapur Rural police in January, was dismissed by Justice M Nagaprasanna in a recent order that emphasized legal principles and procedural compliance.
Court Questions Basis of Criminal Charges Against Drone
Justice Nagaprasanna observed that "the criminal justice system cannot be invoked on the basis of speculative or mechanical attribution of the ingredients of the crime — rash and negligent human act – to an inanimate object." The firm had argued that a lightweight prototype drone, weighing approximately 6 kilograms, fell onto a neighboring property due to a battery malfunction. It contended that operating a drone under a Research and Development license on its own premises in a green belt area falls under the jurisdiction of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), not local police.
Police Claimed FIR Was Registered to Address Public Concerns
On the other hand, the police defended their actions, stating that the First Information Report (FIR) was filed to alleviate public apprehension following the drone's fall. They also informed the court that a copy of the FIR was available on the police department's website. However, the firm maintained that it was never served a physical copy of the FIR, a point that became central to the court's decision.
Court Highlights Lack of Evidence and Procedural Lapses
Justice Nagaprasanna pointed out that none of the essential elements of criminal trespass or acts endangering life or personal safety were established, even at a preliminary stage. Furthermore, the judge underscored the Supreme Court's mandate that an accused is entitled to receive a copy of the FIR without undue delay. "Mere assertion that the FIR is uploaded online cannot be a substitute for compliance with the obligation," he added, criticizing the police's failure to provide the document directly to the firm.
Strict Adherence to FIR Procedures Mandated
In his order, Justice Nagaprasanna issued a stern directive to all police stations, emphasizing that they must scrupulously adhere to the requirement of furnishing copies of FIRs or providing complete details if the documents are available online. Any deviation from this protocol will be viewed seriously, and station house officers or officers in charge who fail to comply may face departmental inquiries. This ruling reinforces procedural integrity in criminal investigations and sets a precedent for handling cases involving emerging technologies like drones.
