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Karnataka High Court Halts Probe Into Trespass FIR Over Research Drone

The judge questioned police jurisdiction under Drone Rules, directing the investigating officer to explain the handling of the FIR.

Overview

  • Justice M Nagaprasanna granted an interim stay on all investigation in CRIME NO. 24/2026, with the next hearing set for February 13.
  • The court called the matter a unique case alleging criminal trespass by an inanimate object after a drone was said to have entered private property.
  • The research drone owned by New Space Research and Technologies reportedly suffered a battery malfunction during a January 29 test in Doddaballapura and landed in a neighboring residential area, after which police seized it the same evening.
  • Police registered a suo motu FIR against unknown persons under BNS sections 125 and 329(3), citing endangerment and trespass.
  • The company argued that DGCA oversees such R&D operations under the Drone Rules, 2021, and alleged officials were kept at a station for six hours without an FIR copy, prompting the court to order the inspector to file an affidavit.