He wanted to fly high, but the hand of law stopped his take-off.

Mustkeem, a vegetable seller of Ratool village in Bagpat district of Uttar Pradesh, claims to have made a 3.5 metre-long two-seater helicopter using parts of tractor, scooter and autorickshaw.

As the 24-year-old prepared to fly the 'home-made helicopter' from an open ground at the village on Wednesday, police arrived at the spot and took him into custody.

He was let go on villagers' request, but only after they gave an undertaking that he would not fly the machine.

District Magistrate G D Tripathi said Mustkeem had not taken permission for the test-flying and had been asked to approach the Civil Aviation Ministry to present his case.

"Only after some experts checked and okayed the machine, may he be allowed to fly," the DM said.

Mustkeem claims he spent Rs 50,000 to prepare the copter, fitted with two engines. But he also admits that it might have some shortcomings, which will be known only after flying it. Meanwhile, people from the neighbouring areas are thronging the village to have a look at Mustkeem's 'dream machine'.