Featured Image Credit: Instagram/hiker_heather
Topics: Travel
Michael Slavin
When it comes to going on holiday, you are always best off checking the laws and customs of the places you go to.
Going to Vietnam? Know that there are almost no pedestrian crossings, and you will be operating on blind faith every time you cross the road.
Going to Dubai? Don’t leave any poppy seeds in your bag, or the opiate in them could land you a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Going to India? This one incredibly common item could land you jail time, as a British woman has recently found out.
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A woman named Heather took to Instagram to share the fact that, upon arriving in India, she was arrested.
The Yorkshire woman was on her way Rishikesh, a city in the north of India.
On her way to Indira Gandhi International Airport, while travelling through Delhi Airport, she was taken away by police for being in possession of a Garmin device.
The device, an inReach, fell foul of a niche Indian law that many travellers are probably unaware of which prohibits GPS.
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Under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933, possession of ‘wireless telegraphy equipment; without a ‘proper license’ is illegal.
Unfortunately for Heather, her Garmin fell within the definition of this.
The woman took to Instagram, warning travellers from going to India with their Garmins, some well-learned advice.
She said: “Do not try to travel to India with a Garmin inReach or any other satellite communicator. They are illegal here.
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“At around 10.30 am, I was passing through security at Delhi Airport with the intention of taking an internal flight to Rishikesh.
“I innocently placed my Garmin inReach in the tray to go through the scanner, and at that moment I was promptly pulled aside by security and told to wait.
“I was eventually taken to the police station where I was questioned, in a fairly friendly manner, and made to sign document after document.
“I didn't take the 'no comment' stance, foolishly or not, it is my nature to be honest, and after all, there was absolutely no intent on my behalf.
“I am not the only person who has fallen victim to this law. Hence, I felt compelled to write this post.”
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She provided an update to her post, stating that she had been released on the equivalent of conditional bail as she had to return to attend a court date.
She also stated she had reached out the British consulate, but had been told there was not much they could do.