Drone flies into CM Mohan Yadav's airspace in Bhind, pilot delays take-off
BHOPAL: A drone flying over the helipad moments before chief minister Mohan Yadav 's helicopter was to take off from Dandaraua Dham in Bhind on Sunday evening caused a major security scare , forcing the pilot to delay departure by nearly 10 minutes.
The chief minister had completed his visit to the temple and had boarded the helicopter for Gwalior. Panchayat and Rural development minister Prahlad Patel, Renewable Energy Minister Rakesh Shukla and BJP district president Devendra Narwariya were also on board when the drone was spotted hovering above the helipad.
Following standard security protocol, the pilot refused to take off until the airspace was cleared. Security agencies and police immediately launched a search of the temple complex and surrounding area. The drone operator was traced to the temple rooftop, where police detained Raghavendra Khemariya and seized the drone.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that Khemariya regularly records videos and photographs of activities at Dandaraua Dham and uploads them on YouTube and other social media platforms.
Temple authorities claimed he is an authorised employee who manages the shrine's official YouTube channel and had been allowed inside the security perimeter to document the chief minister's visit. He was reportedly filming the programme with both a mobile phone and a drone while the chief minister offered prayers and met Mahant Ramdas Maharaj.
Police said they received information about a drone flying over the helipad during the helicopter's take-off preparations. The operator was immediately traced and detained from the temple rooftop. The matter has been handed over for investigation and action as per law, they said.
The chief minister had completed his visit to the temple and had boarded the helicopter for Gwalior. Panchayat and Rural development minister Prahlad Patel, Renewable Energy Minister Rakesh Shukla and BJP district president Devendra Narwariya were also on board when the drone was spotted hovering above the helipad.
Following standard security protocol, the pilot refused to take off until the airspace was cleared. Security agencies and police immediately launched a search of the temple complex and surrounding area. The drone operator was traced to the temple rooftop, where police detained Raghavendra Khemariya and seized the drone.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that Khemariya regularly records videos and photographs of activities at Dandaraua Dham and uploads them on YouTube and other social media platforms.
Temple authorities claimed he is an authorised employee who manages the shrine's official YouTube channel and had been allowed inside the security perimeter to document the chief minister's visit. He was reportedly filming the programme with both a mobile phone and a drone while the chief minister offered prayers and met Mahant Ramdas Maharaj.
Police said they received information about a drone flying over the helipad during the helicopter's take-off preparations. The operator was immediately traced and detained from the temple rooftop. The matter has been handed over for investigation and action as per law, they said.
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