Bengaluru, April 10 -- A Karnataka High Court ruling from February is finding fresh relevance today, as it lays down a clear marker for how criminal law will deal with accidents involving emerging technologies like drones - not just in one stray incident, but in many more to come.
The case itself began as a routine drone test in a quiet stretch of Bengaluru Rural, where a lightweight prototype drifted off course, landed in a neighbouring property, and triggered an FIR that was eventually quashed by the Court.
But beyond the facts, the ruling has assumed significance for what it settles going forward: that criminal liability cannot be invoked mechanically when no human intent or negligence is made out.
The incident occurred on January 29 ...