Canadian trail runner Tina Lewis found herself caught in a legal nightmare during her trip to India when her GPS device, a Garmin inReach Mini, triggered a flag at Goa airport. The device, designed for off-the-grid communication, ran afoul of India’s Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933, which regulates the possession of wireless telegraphy equipment, including GPS devices, without a valid license.
“I was detained at airport security in Goa and taken to a police outpost for questioning,” Lewis recounted on Instagram. “I wasn’t aware that a GPS device was illegal. It’s a law from 1933!”
Lewis, now residing in Colorado, had brought the Garmin inReach Mini to India for safety while camping in remote areas. This compact satellite communicator is intended for adventurers needing to send SOS signals or communicate in places without mobile coverage.
While the device is marketed with a note urging users to comply with local laws, Lewis was unaware of the stringent restrictions in India. She had traveled through other airports in the country without incident before being detained in Goa.
Under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, possessing wireless devices like GPS devices requires a licence. Though this law was enacted nearly a century ago, it remains in effect today, despite the advancement of satellite technologies.
After hours of questioning and a court appearance, Lewis was released on bail, thanks to connections through a local friend. Her legal ordeal lasted six days, during which she was without her passport. The experience resulted in significant court fines, legal fees, and the surrender of her Garmin device.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Lewis called for legal reform, urging the act to be challenged in higher courts: “This outdated law needs to be revisited so other travelers don’t go through what I did.”
Lewis also cautioned fellow travelers: “Carrying a GPS device in India can get you arrested!” Her case was not isolated. Earlier this month, Czech tourist Martin Polesny was arrested at Mopa Airport for carrying a similar Garmin device, and an American tourist in Dehradun faced charges for possessing a satellite phone.
Despite the inconvenience, Lewis pressed on with her travels, refusing to let the incident overshadow her experience in India. “After getting my passport back, I didn’t want to rush home,” she said. “I took a few days to rest on the beach. While I don’t feel the same way about the country now, I’m leaving with some great stories.”
