Mumbai Police have registered a case against several photographers, videographers and social media influencers for flying drones in the Shivaji Park area in Dadar, despite its ban. According to police, all of them were trying to capture the lights and fireworks display during the Deepotsav organised by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
The Shivaji Park police have seized the drones from the accused. Nothing suspicious was found in them or in the footage taken from them. According to police, the Deepotsav, which started on October 17, has turned the Shivaji Park area into a tourist attraction. A three-minute fireworks display is performed every evening at 7.30 pm during the festival.
In order to prevent public safety and fire hazards, the Mumbai Police had banned the flying of drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders, paramotors, hang gliders and hot air balloons from October 7 to November 5. The order exempted only aerial drones used for police surveillance.
A police officer said, “Four drones were seen flying on the evening of October 20. We have detained the persons who were flying them.”
Those detained include photographers Omkar Lele from Dahisar, Ganesh Mhaske from Navi Mumbai, Hrishikesh Patil from Wadala, and Mayur Patil from Mahim. Others identified later were Rishabh Sawant, an employee of a private firm, along with photographers Saurabh Bhattikar from Mumbai Central and Pranal Joshi from Taloja, Navi Mumbai, according to the report.
All the accused have been booked under Section 223 (disobedience to an order issued by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code.
Police officials reiterated that such restrictions are temporary and aimed at ensuring the safety of citizens during the festive season, particularly amid large gatherings and fireworks near populated areas.
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