Indian-origin Gastroenterologist held by police for using satellite phone

Vijayawada: A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Gastroenterologist, Dr Uyyuru Lokesh Kumar who holds American Citizenship was taken into police custody after security personnel at Gannavaram airport on Sunday found him carrying a satellite phone in his baggage.     

During the check-in process for his flight to Delhi, which was part of his journey back to the United States, the security personnel became suspicious of him when he was wandering in the airport following which they interrogated him and found that Dr Lokesh did not have required permission to use the satellite phone. 

In India, possession and use of satellite phones require authorization from the appropriate government department as the use of Satellite Phones is unauthorised/illegal in India under Section 6 of the India Wireless Act and Section 20 of the Indian Telegraph Act.

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The government strictly banned the use of satellite phones in the country and instructed all foreigners or travellers to not carry such phones in India. If found, then the person would be detained/confiscated and the passenger can be penalised under the abovementioned section of the Indian Telegraph Act.  

Upon discovering the unauthorized satellite phone, airport security handed him over to the Gannavaram police. Dr Lokesh explained to the police that he had purchased the phone in Virginia and brought it with him to India without knowing the regulations.  

After being detained, Dr Lokesh was released on the condition that he would cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The police have stated that carrying a satellite phone through domestic airports without proper authorization is against Indian regulations, TOI reports.     

Hence, they are considering registering a case against Dr Lokesh after seeking legal advice. Following his release, Dr Lokesh took a flight to Delhi from where he had a connecting flight to the US.

According to the Deccan Chronicle news reports, Lokesh, who belongs to Venkatayapalem of Thullur mandal of Amaravati in Guntur district, went to America and settled there by getting US citizenship. He worked as a gastroenterologist in Richmond; he worked there for 38 years, and his license was reportedly cancelled by the local authorities due to a violation of norms.    

Earlier, he was taken into preventive custody at Gannavaram airport for exhibiting “suspicious behaviour” while Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was about to board a flight to London on Friday night. It was found that Dr Lokesh sent messages to the TDP cadre for a protest call while the CM was at the airport but no one turned up.   

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