US man under scanner for photographing Khajuraho with drone

An American tourist was today found allegedly taking pictures of the world famous Khajuraho temples near here using a drone camera, police said today.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials lodged a complaint with police against the US national identified as Derek W Bassemir, seeking action against him under the Archaeological Monuments Site and Remains Act, 1958 for illegally taking pictures of the world heritage site using a drone.
"ASI staffers said that they caught Derek flying a drone from the rooftop of a hotel of the western group of the Khajuraho temples without permission today," a police officer said.

The staff immediately rushed to the hotel, apprehended the American and seized his drone with remote. They told the police that he had used the drone to take pictures of the site yesterday as well as today.
The ASI staff handed him over to police but he was later let off. He is putting up at the hotel where he had checked in yesterday.
Police said Derek told them that he was not aware that drone photography was not allowed at Khajuraho temples. He also said that there were no signboards put up at the site, which would inform the tourists that drone photography was prohibited in the area.

"We are investigating the matter," district Superintendent of Police Lalit Shakyawar told PTI.

In October 2014, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had issued orders prohibiting flying drones in Indian airspace till further notice. It had cited "security threats" as the reason for the ban.
ASI officials said they have been cautious over infringement of the airspace over world heritage sites for security reasons and safety of the structures.
ASI takes serious note of violations because vibration in the air due to flying and the possibility of any accident involving planes can pose a danger to the temples in Khajuraho.

Khajuraho group of monuments is a group of Hindu and Jain temples and are one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures.