Tourist nabbed in India for using bike computer

Indian police have detained and fined a Czech tourist over the possession of a bike computer prohibited by a 1933 law, the Czech foreign ministry said.

The 44-year-old man was detained at the Manohar International Airport in the state of Goa while preparing to leave for the Qatari capital, Doha.

But he ended up in a cell for 12 hours after airport police found a Garmin Edge bike computer in his bag.
“The computer … had an in-built satellite transmitter. Traveling with satellite transmitters or phones is prohibited in India,” Czech foreign ministry spokesman Daniel Drake said.

The Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act from 1933 says that “no person shall possess wireless telegraphy apparatus except under and under a license issued under this Act.”

The possession of a wireless transmitter “shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both,” adds the law.

Drake said the man had traveled on a bike in India for 11 days without encountering any problems.

The Czech news agency CTK cited the man as saying he had pleaded guilty and paid a fine of 1,000 rupees ($12).
He was then released and allowed to leave the country.

The police have, however seized the bike computer, said Drake.