Section 144 in place around Delhi airport; drones, lasers banned. Here's why

Any individual or group of individuals who violates this order may face punishment under Section 188 of the IPC, including owners, occupants, workers, and organizers.

The Delhi Police has banned drones and laser beam operations in the area falling in the approach path of flights at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI).

The order, which came into effect on June 1, will be in place until July 30, news agency ANI reported. The police have imposed Section 144, primarily meant to ban large gatherings if they fear unrest or danger, around the airport as there are no specific laws banning the use of laser beams.

The report claimed the measures were being taken to allow the safe movement of “VVIP planes” ahead of the formation of the new government and swearing-in of the Prime Minister.

The Lok Sabha results will be declared on June 4 and the new government is expected in place over the next few days.

There have been instances of laser beams distracting pilots' vision at IGI Airport in New Delhi, particularly during aircraft landings, the ANI report said.

"And whereas, it has been found that several farms houses, banquets, hotels, restaurants, etc. have come up in and around the jurisdiction of IGI Airport wherein a lot of lights, including laser beams, are used on the celebration of marriages, parties and different events held therein, which is a source of nuisance in general and cause of vision distraction to the pilots in particular," the police said in a statement.

As the use of laser beams at and around IGI International Airport is causing a nuisance, prompt action is required to stop the threat to human life, aircraft safety, and the environment, it said.

The restrictions are meant for the so-called funnel area, which is aligned with the runways along the paths followed by flights while landing and taking off, of the approach path.

Any individual or group of individuals who violates this order may face punishment under Section 188 of the IPC, including owners, occupants, workers, and organisers.

The order that prohibited drones said there have been repeated reports, based on reliable information, that terrorists have plotted to use Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), such as drones, hang gliders, paragliders and UAVs to carry out terror attacks.