In recent days, police forces in two Indian states have notched up significant wins in the fight against mobile phone theft, demonstrating both the persistence of traditional street crime and the growing sophistication of law enforcement responses. While officers in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, cracked down on a rash of local snatchings, their counterparts in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, celebrated the recovery of hundreds of lost and stolen devices through high-tech sleuthing. Together, these stories paint a vivid picture of the challenges—and evolving solutions—surrounding mobile phone theft in India’s rapidly digitizing society.
It was on November 22, 2025, that Prakash Mali, a resident of Ujjain district, found himself the victim of a brazen theft in Indore. As reported by The Free Press Journal, Mali was sitting near Robot Square when two men on a motorcycle suddenly snatched his mobile phone and sped off towards Bengali Square. The incident, occurring in a crowded area, was not just a random act but part of a pattern that had been troubling local residents for weeks.
Indore’s Khajrana police wasted no time. By examining CCTV footage and acting on a timely tip-off, officers managed to track the suspects to the Karbala Kuan area. The accused—identified as Salman alias Aman Sheikh and Sahil alias Chittu Khan, both from Khajrana—were apprehended. According to police, both men suffered minor injuries while attempting to flee during their arrest, a detail that underscores the sometimes-chaotic nature of street-level policing.
The investigation quickly yielded more than just a single stolen phone. Police recovered a total of ten stolen mobile phones, along with the motorcycle—conspicuously lacking a number plate—that had been used in the crime. During interrogation, the suspects reportedly admitted to snatching phones to "meet expenses of their lavish lifestyle," a confession that offers a glimpse into the motivations behind such crimes. It’s not just about necessity; sometimes, it’s about keeping up appearances in a world where status symbols matter.
But the crackdown didn’t stop there. In a separate incident, the Banganga police in Indore arrested three individuals—Gajanan Ivne, Raja Singh Chaudhary, and Raja Ivne—after they robbed Makhan Singh of his Vivo mobile phone and Rs 700 in cash. Singh told police he was carrying goods from Deepmala Haat Bazar to his home when the trio, brandishing a knife, accosted him. The swift response by the Banganga police led to the recovery of both the stolen phone and the cash, with the suspects caught within hours of the crime. These events, published in The Free Press Journal on November 25, 2025, underscore the persistent threat of street crime, even as cities grow more connected and technologically advanced.
Yet, while Indore’s police were busy tackling crime on the ground, another force was making headlines for its high-tech approach to a similar problem. On the same day, the cyber crime wing of Kadapa district police, Andhra Pradesh, announced the recovery of 702 stolen or lost mobile phones—devices worth a staggering ₹1.86 crore. This achievement was part of ‘Operation Mobile Shield’, a multi-phase initiative that has so far seen a total of 5,372 mobile phones, valued at ₹11.06 crore, returned to their rightful owners over seven phases.
According to The Hindu, the Kadapa police relied on a suite of advanced technologies—digital forensics, network surveillance, GPS and IMEI tracking, and data analytics—to trace and recover the missing devices. Complaints lodged via the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal provided the starting point for investigations, which then leveraged the Missing Mobile Tracking System (MMTS) WhatsApp chatbot (number 9392941541) for efficient resolution.
Superintendent of Police Nachiket Vishwanath Shelke, who personally inspected the recovered mobiles and handed them over to their owners on November 25, 2025, praised his team’s efforts. "Our cyber crime effectively utilised the Missing Mobile Tracking System (MMTS) WhatsApp chatbot number 9392941541, along with the CEIR portal to resolve the complaints efficiently," Shelke said, as quoted by The Hindu. He also took the opportunity to remind mobile users of key safety precautions: "In case a mobile phone is lost, immediately block all your bank accounts linked to the phone, disable the SIM card. Prior to that, enable the two-factor authentication or biometric security on third party apps like Google Pay and PhonePe."
Shelke’s advice reflects a growing awareness of the risks that accompany mobile phone theft in the digital age. Stolen phones are no longer just valuable for their hardware; they’re potential gateways to sensitive financial and personal information. Police now urge victims to WhatsApp details of stolen phones to the MMTS number, lodge complaints on the CEIR portal, or report incidents at their local police stations—steps that can make all the difference in both device recovery and data protection.
But Kadapa’s police force isn’t stopping at mobile recovery. Superintendent Shelke also highlighted ongoing efforts to bolster women’s safety across the district. The SHAKTHI app, designed to leverage technology for personal security, has now been downloaded on over 25,000 phones. "We have conducted 157 self defence training programs to students to empower them physically and mentally, benefiting 13,306 girls. Similarly, family and marital disputes were successfully resolved through counselling at our women’s police stations," Shelke told the press. These measures, coupled with outreach to 96,000 people as part of awareness programs, illustrate a holistic approach to public safety—one that combines technology, education, and community engagement.
What do these parallel stories from Indore and Kadapa reveal? For one, mobile phone theft remains a stubborn challenge, fueled by everything from opportunistic crime to the pressures of maintaining a "lavish lifestyle." Yet, the response from law enforcement is evolving. In urban centers like Indore, traditional policing—quick action, community tips, and on-the-ground pursuit—still plays a crucial role. Meanwhile, in districts like Kadapa, technology is increasingly at the forefront, with digital forensics and data analytics turning the tide against organized theft and loss.
Both approaches have their merits, and both are clearly needed. As India’s cities and towns become ever more connected, the stakes of mobile phone theft continue to rise. Devices are not just communication tools; they’re lifelines to banking, health, and personal safety. The stories from Indore and Kadapa serve as a reminder that while criminals may adapt, so too will the police—sometimes with a chase through crowded streets, sometimes with a click of a button and a trace through the digital ether.
For now, residents in both cities can breathe a little easier, knowing that their police are keeping pace with the times, whether on two wheels or through the cloud.
