Punjab native arrested for illegally flying drone in highly sensitive area near synagogue in Kerala

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The Mattancherry police on Friday (October 30, 2026) arrested a native of Punjab settled in Canada in a highly sensitive area near the Mattancherry Synagogue in Kerala for flying a drone without required permits.

The detainee has been identified as Ashu Kumar Khanna (66) from Amritsar, Punjab, who is now settled in Ontario, Canada. He was booked under Sections 289 (negligent conduct towards machinery) and 125 (any act done so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 22 (permission of airspace zone) and 49 (carrying out any activity in contravention of the Drone Rules). He was later released after being served with a notice.

Sensitive area

According to the FIR, Mr Khanna flew the drone in a highly sensitive area comprising a synagogue, Coast Guard premises and INS Dronacharya, the Indian Navy’s premier gunnery and missile facility.

The incident comes close to an alleged arson attack on the premises of the 800-year-old Kadavumbhagam Synagogue in Ernakulam. Earlier, the Kochi city police had invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against Ebin Paul, an accused in the case.

Published – 31 Oct 2026 11:20 AM IST