Fri Jan 03 11:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Scottish Hiker Detained in Delhi for Illegal GPS Device
**NEW DELHI** – A Scottish hiker, Heather, was detained at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday for possessing a Garmin inReach GPS device, which are banned in India. Heather, en route to Rishikesh, was apprehended by security personnel and subsequently handed over to police.
In a series of Instagram posts and videos, Heather detailed her ordeal, recounting how she was pulled aside after placing the device in the security scanner. She was questioned for several hours at a police station and made to sign numerous documents before being released around 9 pm. However, she faces a future court appearance.
Heather claims she was denied water during her detention and expressed frustration at the lack of assistance received from the Scottish embassy. She emphasizes that the device was carried unintentionally, with no malicious intent.
This incident mirrors a similar case involving a Canadian runner detained in December for possessing a similar device. Heather’s post serves as a warning to other travelers, urging them not to bring satellite communicators or similar GPS devices to India, highlighting the potential for arrest and legal repercussions. She hopes sharing her experience will prevent others from facing a similar situation. While released, the long-term consequences of her detention remain uncertain.
First Piper 