US student detained at Chennai Airport for carrying banned satellite phone
Chennai: A 22-year-old American student was detained at Chennai International Airport in the early hours of Thursday after airport security found a banned satellite phone in his luggage. The device, prohibited in India due to national security concerns, was detected during a routine baggage scan as the student prepared to board a flight to Singapore.
The student, identified as Oakley Jackson, had arrived in Chennai from Delhi the previous week on a tourist visa. He was en route to Australia via Singapore on a Scoot Airlines flight scheduled to depart at 12:30 am. Airport officials discovered the satellite phone during final checks before boarding.
Jackson reportedly told officials he was unaware of Indian laws prohibiting satellite phones and claimed he had carried the device from the United States without encountering issues in Delhi or Chennai earlier.
However, airport authorities rejected his explanation. His flight ticket was cancelled, and the device was confiscated. Jackson was handed over to airport police for further questioning. A senior official emphasised that satellite phones can bypass conventional communication systems, making their unauthorised use a potential security threat.
Police are investigating whether the device was used during Jackson’s stay in India and whether he contacted anyone through it. Possession of a satellite phone without prior clearance from the Department of Telecommunications is a punishable offence under Indian law. Authorities have repeatedly advised foreign nationals to declare such equipment and seek necessary permissions before entry.
The US Consulate in Chennai has been informed and is expected to extend consular assistance to Jackson. He remains in custody while the investigation continues. Further action will depend on whether misuse of the device is established.
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Woman threatens to end life as police official refuses to accept love proposal, FIR registered
Bengaluru (PTI): A woman was booked on charges of obstructing a police inspector from discharging his official duties and threatening to commit suicide if he did not accept her love proposal, police said on Wednesday.
The 45-year-old inspector attached to the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station here alleged that the woman repeatedly harassed him, they said.
According to his complaint, the harassment began on October 30, when he started receiving calls from an unknown woman from multiple phone numbers.
During these calls, she allegedly spoke incoherently and claimed to have close links with several highly placed individuals, including the Chief Minister, Deputy CM, Home Minister and other political leaders.
Police said the woman sent photographs via WhatsApp purportedly showing herself with these dignitaries and claimed she could use their influence to compel the inspector to accept her proposal. She also allegedly threatened to use her contacts against him if he refused.
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The inspector said that he advised her to visit the police station and submit a written complaint if she had any grievance. However, she did not do so and instead continued to repeatedly call and send messages, which disturbed his official duties, the FIR said.
According to the FIR, on November 7, the woman allegedly visited his office and handed over an envelope containing some tablets along with handwritten letters. The letters contained emotionally charged and inappropriate content, and the woman claimed they were written using her blood, indicating obsessive behaviour.
Despite being clearly informed that the number she was contacting was an official departmental number meant for public service, she allegedly continued making unnecessary calls and messages, causing mental harassment and obstruction to his day-to-day duties, he alleged.
During the inquiry, police learnt that the woman had allegedly exhibited similar behaviour with other police and government officials in the past, it stated.
On December 12, she allegedly went to his police station and shouted and threatened to commit suicide and ruin the inspector's career if he did not respond to her proposal, prompting him to lodge a complaint.
"Based on the complaint, a case was registered against the woman under Sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) and 221 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station. The matter is under investigation," police said.
