British passenger caught with satellite phone

In yet another case of a passenger being caught at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) with a satellite phone, a Leh-bound British passenger was apprehended on Tuesday for allegedly carrying an unauthorised satellite phone in his luggage, a senior official said.

Identified as GC Hughes, a United Kingdom (UK) national, he was apprehended by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel after the phone was detected in his baggage, the official said.

 Hughes, who was travelling to Leh in Jammu and Kashmir, was apprehended and handed over to the Delhi Police, as carrying a satellite phone is unauthorised and banned under law, he said.

 The communication gadget is only allowed for defence and other authorised personnel, the official said.

It may be recalled that few days back an Indian passenger was apprehended with a similar device by the CISF at this airport while he was about to take a flight to Leh. Officials said they are probing the link of satellite phones being recovered from Leh bound passengers. "It is a security concern and necessary steps have been taken to prevent any person from carrying a satellite phone which is not allowed by the law", the official added.