Mumbai: Case registered against man for flying drone in Powai without police permission

Ankith Thakur with his drone during an outstation shoot (photo shared by Thakur with permission); (right) Stanza Living`s Lake Bloom building in Solaris, Tunga Village, Powai — the society where the drone crash occurred. Pic/Arranged by Rajesh Gupta

A drone crash in Powai caused panic late Sunday night after locals heard a loud noise and saw the device plummet from the sky. Residents immediately alerted the Powai police. Officers rushed to the spot and were surprised to discover that a 23-year-old cinematographer had been testing the drone to check if it was functioning properly. Police booked him and launched an investigation. Drone usage in India remains restricted following the tensions at the border between India and Pakistan.

Ankith Rajendra Thakur, 23, a cinematographer residing at Stanza Living's Lake Bloom building in Solaris, Tunga Village, Powai, had moved to Mumbai from Hyderabad just one-and-a-half months ago for work. He told mid-day that he had used the drone exclusively for creating Instagram reels during outstation shoots.

"I'm a cinematographer and moved to Mumbai for work just over a month ago. This drone costs around R1 lakh abroad and is even more expensive here. It was a gift from my relatives. It weighs 250 grammes and can fly up to 1 kilometre high. Since its fan was damaged, I had sent it for repairs. Around 11.30 pm on Sunday, it was delivered to my home. I went down to the society compound with a friend to check if it was working," Thakur said.

"It flew properly at first, but after reaching about 60 metres, it suddenly dropped. The crash was loud, and people gathered. The police arrived soon after, detained me, seized the drone, and took me to Powai police station, where an FIR was filed. I explained everything, and once they realised I was just testing it, they let me go. Still, I was treated like a criminal. I admit it was a mistake to fly the drone, I had no intention of causing panic," he added.

"I only use this drone for filming reels at outstation shoots. I've never flown it locally. I just wanted to check if it was functioning properly after spending Rs 3000 on repairs," Thakur said. Drone flying in India is restricted due to heightened national security concerns following the escalations at the border.

A police officer explained, "The Pakistani army flew drones across the border, prompting Indian forces to restrict such activity. So, when locals spotted the drone in Powai, it caused alarm. The fact that it happened around midnight only made things worse."

The complainant, requesting anonymity, said, "Around midnight on Sunday, I was walking with friends when we saw flashing lights in the sky and suspected something serious. We feared it might be an attack, especially given the tense atmosphere post-ceasefire. Seconds later, the drone crashed with a loud noise. I immediately called the police, who responded quickly and detained two people. In such sensitive times, no one should be flying drones."

Senior Inspector Jitendra Sonawane of Powai police station told mid-day, "We have registered an FIR against the drone owner, Ankith Thakur, for allegedly flying a drone in the area. We are verifying his documents and investigating where he purchased the drone and why he was flying it. A notice has been issued. He was detained and later released with a warning."