A 22-year-old American student, Oakley Jackson, was apprehended at Chennai International Airport during the early hours of Thursday for possessing a satellite phone, a banned communication device in India due to security regulations.
The incident unfolded around 12:30 a.m. as Jackson was preparing to board a Scoot Airlines flight to Singapore en route to Australia. The restricted device was discovered during a routine security screening.
Jackson, who had travelled from Delhi to Chennai last week on a tourist visa, claimed he was unaware of India’s prohibition on satellite phones. He said the device had accompanied him from the United States, and had not previously attracted attention. However, airport security officials dismissed his explanation, highlighting the serious risk such devices pose to national safety.
Following the discovery, Jackson’s boarding pass was cancelled, and the satellite phone was seized. He was subsequently transferred to the airport police station for further interrogation.
Authorities are now investigating whether Jackson used the satellite phone during his stay in Chennai and are also tracking potential communication attempts to or from the device.
A senior airport official emphasized that satellite phones can evade conventional networks, making unauthorized usage a serious offence.
The US Consulate in Chennai has been notified, and officials are expected to provide assistance.
Under Indian law, possession of a satellite phone without prior clearance from the Department of Telecommunications is punishable, and strict enforcement is standard procedure in such cases.
Jackson remains in custody pending inquiry.