US doctor detained at Sambhajinagar airport over banned satellite phone

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A US-based doctor was detained at the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar airport after security personnel recovered a prohibited satellite phone from his baggage during pre-boarding screening for a Delhi-bound flight.

The 45-year-old doctor, a resident of Alabama, was scheduled to travel on an Air India flight to Delhi on Thursday afternoon when the device was detected during baggage scanning.

According to The Times of India, a constable on duty identified a Garmin satellite phone during the security check. Airport officials immediately alerted the MIDC CIDCO police station. The device was seized by CISF personnel in the presence of panch witnesses, and along with a photocopy of the doctor’s passport. It was handed over to the police for further action.

Police commissioner Pravin Pawar stated that satellite phones are banned in India without prior approval from the Union government. During questioning, the doctor reportedly told officials that he was unaware of the restriction and had not obtained the required permission. He stated that he carried the device for emergency communication and GPS tracking purposes and submitted a written apology acknowledging the lapse.

On the instructions of senior officers, he was taken to the MIDC CIDCO police station, where his statement was recorded with the assistance of a bilingual interpreter. In his statement, the doctor said the device had not been used and remained switched off. After completing formalities and issuing a warning, the police allowed him to leave. Officials confirmed that the satellite phone has been seized and a station diary entry has been made.

Sources indicated that the doctor had visited Latur district and was returning to the United States when he was stopped at the airport.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about a London-based doctor and popular YouTuber, Sangram Patil, who was detained at Mumbai International Airport over a social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, a police official said. He was questioned for several hours by crime branch officials before being released, after serving him a notice under section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the official added.