Drones, gliders banned in Mumbai in wake of possible aerial attacks

In order to prevent any threat from the skies, the Mumbai police banned the use of drones and paragliders in the metropolis for a month, PTI reported. 

This ban will remain in place between March 31 and April 29, a police notification said.

"We issue such orders periodically to avoid any kind of misuse of drones and paragliders," a senior police official said.

He, however, clarified there have been no specific intelligence inputs about any possible aerial attack on the financial capital.

"It is a routine order issued under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure by the police. There are no specific inputs in this regard.

"In the past, too, we have issued orders prohibiting the use of drones, paragliders and micro-light aircraft in the city's skies," said Ashwini Sanap, Deputy Commissioner of Police, who is handling the additional charge of DCP Operations.

It is the Section 144 of the CrPC that empowers the police to issue orders in cases of nuisance of apprehended danger.

There is no specific law that deals with issues of drones and paragliders in the country so the police temporarily suspend their use by such orders.

It must be noted that at a time, the restriction can be issued for only a month after which it has to be reviewed before it can be extended, the police added.