Twitter
Advertisement

2 Britishers held for ‘gazing’ at Delhi airport

Duo had sophisticated equipment that could interfere with airline communication.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The Delhi police on Monday detained two British nationals staying at a five star hotel near the Indira Gandhi airport, after they were found with sophisticated equipment that can interfere with communication between aircraft and the airport’s communication tower.

Stephen Hampston, 46, and Steve Martin, 55, were detained after staff at the Radisson Hotel, which is next to the international airport, got suspicious about their activities after they had checked in on February 11.

Home secretary GK Pillai said, “They asked for a room from where they could have a clear view of the runway. They argued on the issue with the hotel staff.” He said their conversation then came under the scanner and raids were conducted. “The gadget they had could interfere with conversations between the air traffic control and aircraft. It could have had disastrous consequences,” Pillai said.

Delhi police said their passports have been seized and they are being questioned. Intelligence agencies are looking at their recent travel plans to find out if they have been to Pakistan, Bangladesh or any such locations. “We detained them as they were involved in suspicious activities,” police commissioner YS Dadhwal said.
Action will be taken against them under the telegraph act and other rules, if they have violated any laws, police sources said.  

According to the Delhi police, the two tracked the arrival and
departure of flights of several major airlines. They had very sophisticated equipment along with a pair of very powerful binoculars.

“According to the hotel staff, the two used to spend hours gazing at the planes with their equipment,” a police official said.

The British high commission has been informed about their detention.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement