My experience regarding bringing in the drone was back in 2018. Back then it was a strict 'no'.
Clearly at some point between then and now, there's been a change in the rules.

Thanks, and I appreciate the detailed info. I'm well aware of the general BCAS and IATA regulations now — but here's the issue:

At no point before, during, or after my journey was I informed by IndiGo or airport security that my drone or power bank were removed or held. No documentation, no notification, nothing.

My drone was packed according to IATA guidelines (battery disconnected, drone powered off), and my power bank was not oversized. If CISF seized it, there should be a record. If it was removed for safety, I should have been informed.

If it's "probably lying on some shelf," as you say, someone from IndiGo should’ve already tracked it down — especially after six weeks of chasing them.

I don't think Indigo will or have to do anything to help you here, unless you find something in the agreement about that and then go about it the legal way. I haven't read the agreement but it's also possible they may have something in the argument/terms avoiding any liability in cases like this.

Have you tried reaching out to CISF about the drone?

Powerbanks (any size) are a strict NO NO in hold baggage everywhere and were most likely removed by the security of the country of origin (SL) Drone xould have been removed by security of any of the countries depending on how watchful the person monitoring the baggage scanner was.

Montreal convention applies as it's not a case of lost baggage. Infact, during check in you made a declaration about the contents of your baggage and most likely told the check-in clerk that you don't have any powerbank and batteries in your checked bags. I don't remember a single instance in last 2 years where the check-in clerk didn't ask this question. Even the OLCI has this check on IndiGo website.

During check-in, no member of the airline staff asked me whether I had lithium batteries or power banks in my checked baggage, nor was I instructed to remove them. Naturally, had I been asked to take out the power bank or batteries and place them in my carry-on, I would have done so immediately and without hesitation. In practice, the baggage was accepted for check-in as-is, which means I had no opportunity to adjust anything — and also suggests that the airline did not identify any issue at that stage.

When the baggage was finally delivered to me, it was clear that the lock had been broken and valuable contents were missing — specifically, a DJI Mini 2 drone and a power bank. These items were packed inside the suitcase from the beginning and disappeared while the baggage was under the airline’s custody. This clearly constitutes damage (or theft) of the baggage during handling. According to the Montreal Convention, the loss of contents is considered damage to checked baggage, for which the airline is liable.

International Flight and the Montreal Convention:
This was an international connecting flight (Colombo – Bangalore – Mauritius), and therefore, it falls under the scope of the Montreal Convention. The convention lays out clear principles regarding airline liability for baggage. In fact, under international law, an airline’s liability for loss or damage to checked baggage on an international journey is near absolute — unless the passenger can be shown to have been negligent. In this case, there is no indication of any negligence on my part, and therefore, the airline is required to take full responsibility for the damage.

In light of all these facts, it is clear to me that the responsibility lies entirely with IndiGo. The Montreal Convention — which applies in this case — was designed precisely for situations like this, to protect passengers from such losses. It explicitly states that airlines are liable for damage or loss to baggage that was entrusted to them during international carriage. I followed all the necessary rules and guidelines, and the damage (i.e., the loss of my equipment) occurred while the baggage was under IndiGo’s care. Therefore, there is no legal or moral basis to absolve the airline of responsibility in this matter.

Ok if you say so. I am not a lawyer. I guess time for you to sought legal action.

If you were to take legal action then I'm not so sure the courts would see it your way. There is negligence on your part since you did not remove the powerbank from your checked baggage. I'm not saying this completely absolves the airline of any responsibility but their conditions of carriage & baggage policies clearly state what is allowed in checked-in baggage & what is not. Arguing that no one pointed this out at check-in would not free you of your responsibility of being unaware of the carriage rules that you agreed to when you purchased your ticket.

I understand your point, but respectfully, I don’t believe it holds in this case.

This was an international flight, and under the Montreal Convention, the airline is liable for baggage under its care. The power bank may have been misplaced, but IndiGo never informed me, never documented its removal, and after a 52+ hour delay, my bag arrived unlocked and missing valuable items.

I also contacted CISF, which confirmed they had no record of any seizure and directed responsibility back to IndiGo.

A minor packing error doesn’t explain the complete loss, lack of documentation, or silence from the airline. That’s where the real issue lies.

It's the passenger's responsibility to ensure that a checked bag doesn't have any prohibited items. There are many things that are prohibited (e.g., fireworks, air canisters) in checked bags. A check in agent is not going to ask you item by item. Sometimes they may ask about a few but not always. You are supposed to read that stuff beforehand and know.

You're right passengers do have a responsibility to follow baggage regulations, and I don’t deny that forgetting to move the power bank was a mistake on my part.

But this case isn’t just about that. It’s about what didn’t happen after.

My bag was delayed for over 52 hours and arrived unlocked, and both the drone and power bank were missing. I was given no documentation and no notification, and despite multiple follow-ups, IndiGo refused to explain or take responsibility.

I also reached out directly to CISF, who confirmed that they did not confiscate anything and clearly stated the responsibility lies with IndiGo.

So yes, I could’ve packed better. But that doesn’t justify zero transparency, zero support, and zero ownership from the airline.

This isn’t about one mistake. It’s about a pattern of neglect and avoidance. And that’s exactly why passengers need to speak up.

I think the problem is that even if they are "allowed" technically (which may not even be true, I've seen 250g as the weight limit in some places), you're supposed to have advance permission from DGCA for the import, an identification number for the drone, and an operator permit for yourself, in hand. Honestly I think in classic Indian bureaucracy fashion, they've set things up so they can nail you and confiscate your drone or fine you in just about any circumstance. They may be as paranoid about drones as of satellite phones.

Look, I think you're absolutely right to feel aggrieved that you were not appropriately informed, given a mechanism of redress, etc.
But at this point, I would not put a lot of hope on your appeals to DGCA and other authorities. Chalk it up as a learning moment about Indian bureaucracy, and move on.
I really do not think there is any chance of your being able to get your drone and power bank back, or any compensation for them, or even an apology of any sort from IndiGo.
If you do, that would be very surprising, and you should definitely let us know how that unfolds.

Sorry this happened to you, but this is how the cookie crumbled.

Hi, any updates on the drone regulations? I'm planning to bring my Mini 4 Pro to India soon. Please let me know. Thanks!

Hey aakashgupta,
Just wanted to flag something important.

If you're entering India with the Mini 4 Pro, you should be aware that importing foreign-made drones into India is currently prohibited under government regulations. This includes personal drones like the Mini 4 Pro, even if they're under 250g.
It's here: https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/256/AU2722.pdf

I wasn’t even entering India – just in transit to Mauritius – and still had my drone removed from my checked baggage without notice. No documentation, no contact, and getting it back has been a nightmare.

If you're flying into India and carrying the drone, even in your cabin luggage, be aware that customs could confiscate it, and there’s no clear appeal process. There have also been reports of fines and long delays at the airport.

So I strongly recommend you double-check with Indian customs or DGCA before your trip. It’s really not worth the risk.

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You're right that this has been a lesson in how things work, and I’m not holding my breath for compensation or even a proper apology.

I’ve said before, and I’ll say it again, the power bank was my mistake. I didn’t move it, and that’s on me. But this isn’t just about a forgotten item. What really bothers me is what came after. There was no communication, no receipt, no clear process for appeal. Just silence, and later a vague justification when I pushed for answers.

Since then, I’ve shared my story on X and elsewhere, and it turns out I’m not alone. The number of people, from everyday flyers to major corporate travelers, who’ve had issues with IndiGo is staggering. And the common thread in many of these stories? A complete lack of accountability or transparency.

I get that for many people, it’s easier to just shrug and move on. But I don’t believe that’s how change happens. I’ve already filed complaints with multiple consumer and government bodies. And yes, if needed, I’m fully prepared to take this all the way, even if that means showing up in court in India from Israel.

If nothing changes, so be it. But if this draws attention to how passengers with valuable equipment are being treated, or if someone at IndiGo starts remembering that these stories don’t just vanish, that’s a step forward.

I’m not after revenge. I believe airlines, especially ones that handle millions of passengers, should be held to a higher standard. This time, I’m not letting it go.