A Scottish hiker was detained at Delhi airport on Thursday for allegedly carrying a Garmin Inreach, a GPS and satellite messaging device that is banned in India. Heather, the hiker, shared her experience in a video posted on Instagram, recounting how she was pulled aside by security before her flight to Rishikesh.
Heather explained, “Around 10:30 a.m. this morning, as I was passing through security at Delhi Airport on my way to Rishikesh, I innocently placed my Garmin Inreach in the tray to go through the scanner. That’s when I was immediately pulled aside by security and told to wait.”
According to Heather, security personnel informed her that the Garmin Inreach device is prohibited in India and that she would be handed over to the police. “I waited, confused, and was eventually told that the device was illegal here and that I was being handed over to the police. I called the Embassy while waiting for the police, but they told me they couldn’t intervene as I was in the custody of Indian authorities,” she said.
Heather was taken to a local police station for questioning, where she claimed she was asked to sign several documents. “I was questioned in a fairly friendly manner and asked to sign document after document. I didn’t take the ‘no comment’ approach—foolishly or not, I tend to be honest, and there was no ill intent on my part,” she explained.
She was released from the police station at 9 p.m. but was told she would need to return for a court appearance. “I was finally released at 9 p.m., but I am required to return to attend court,” she added.
This incident follows a similar case in Goa last month, where a Czech national was arrested for carrying a Garmin Edge 540 GPS device, also banned in India. The device was discovered during screening at Manohar International Airport in North Goa. The individual was booked under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and issued a notice to appear before Goa police.
