Man Booked for Unauthorised Drone Flight Over Lingaraj Temple
A 35-year-old man was booked by police for allegedly flying a drone over the Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar without authorisation, officials said on Monday. The incident took place on June 29, 2026, and police acted on a tip-off about the unauthorised drone activity over the protected monument.
Legal Action Under BNS and Ancient Monuments Act
Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. The accused was served a notice, and authorities seized the drone as well as the motorcycle allegedly used by him.
Lingaraj Temple is an ASI-Protected Monument
The Lingaraj temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of Odisha's most revered shrines and is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Flying drones over such sites without permission is illegal and subject to strict penalties.
Police have not disclosed the identity of the accused but confirmed that investigations are ongoing. The case highlights the enforcement of drone regulations near sensitive heritage sites.
