2 British Plane-spotters booked under Telegraph Act

New Delhi, Feb 21 (PTI) Two British men, detained after
being accused of using hi-tech gadgets to record conversation
between pilots and air traffic controllers, have been booked
under the Indian Telegraph Act by the police which ruled out a
criminal conspiracy.
Stephen Hampston (46) and Steve Martin (55), who called
themselves "plane spotters", were detained on February 15
night at Radisson Hotel here after its staff reported to
police that they were found indulging in "suspicious
activities". Their activities also included tracking movement
of flying objects including airplanes.
"We have registered a case against them. They have been
charged under Telegraph Act under Section 20 (read with
Section 4)," Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range)
Ajay Kashyap told PTI.
If convicted, the duo will have to serve a prison term
of up to three years, or with fine extending to up to Rs
1,000, or with both. However, the offence which they committed
comes under bailable and non-cognisable offences.
According to Section 20 of Telegraph Act, if any person
establishes, maintains or works a telegraph within the country
in contravention of the provisions of Section 4 which allows
only licenced ones to establish, maintain or work a telegraph,
be it on ships and aircraft, he shall be punished.
The Britons, who are employed with the UK Railways, were
confined to Radisson Hotel near the international airport here
from Monday night and were shifted to Lampur Detention Centre
on February 17 after detention orders.
Hampston and Martin were detained along with their
hi-tech equipment and a high-powered binocular.
The duo, who were in possession of sophisticated
equipment, claimed that they were into plane-spotting and it
was their hobby. Plane spotting is defined as observation and
logging registration numbers of gliders, powered aircraft,
balloons, airships, helicopters and microlights.PTI SJY
SDE