French passenger detained for having satellite phone in Chennai

Chennai: An elderly French passenger was on Monday detained for inquiry at the Chennai International Airport after he was found possessing a ‘satellite phone’, a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) official said.

The phone was allegedly found in the 69-year-old passenger’s hand baggage while he was going through a check at the airport. He was immediately detained for interrogation.

Other highlights:

• Possession of satellite devices by foreigners is highly regulated in India.
• The possession of the device is allowed in the country subject to strict norms.
• Such possessions must be declared to custom authorities on arrival in the country.