Gonda Police Recover 251 Lost Mobiles Worth Over Rs 55 Lakh
In a massive crackdown, Gonda police recovered 251 lost mobile phones worth over Rs 55 lakh and returned them to their rightful owners.
In a major victory for law enforcement, the Gonda police have successfully recovered 251 lost mobile phones, with an estimated market value exceeding Rs 55,22,000. This massive recovery operation was carried out through the coordinated efforts of surveillance teams operating across 17 different police stations.
The fruits of this intensive operation were presented on October 15, 2026, when the Superintendent of Police in Gonda officially handed over the recovered devices to their rightful owners, bringing immense relief to many citizens.
The Scale of the Operation
The recovery was driven by data from the Government of India's Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal. Police records indicate that between July 1 and October 13, 2026, a total of 603 complaints regarding lost mobile phones were lodged via the portal. While 251 devices have been successfully retrieved so far, authorities have confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining missing phones.
The recovered inventory features a wide array of premium and popular brands, including:
- Apple
- Samsung
- Vivo
- Oppo
- Tecno
- Redmi
- OnePlus
Breakdown of Recovered Devices by Location
The recovery operation spanned various regions within the district. The nodal team played a crucial role, recovering 53 phones independently. The location-wise breakdown of the recovered devices is as follows:
- Kotwali Nagar: 55 phones
- Karnailganj: 21 phones
- Khodare: 16 phones
- Itiyathok: 13 phones
- Dhanepur, Nawabganj, Wazirganj, and Tarabganj: 10 phones each
- Khargupur: 10 phones
- Umri Begamganj: 7 phones
- Katra Bazar, Kaudiya, Paraspur, and Motiganj: 6 phones each
- Mankapur: 5 phones
- Chhapia: 4 phones
- Kotwali Dehat: 3 phones
Expert Team Behind the Success
The successful mission was spearheaded by key personnel, including SWAT Inspector Ashutosh Singh and Surveillance In-charge Sub-Inspector Manish Kumar. Their leadership, alongside the dedicated SWAT and surveillance teams and the CEIR portal police staff, was instrumental in tracking the devices.
Police Advisory for Citizens
Following this success, police officials have urged the public to utilize digital tools for security. Citizens are encouraged to download the 'Sanchar Saathi' app to stay informed about their mobile connections.
In the unfortunate event of a lost mobile phone, the police recommend the following steps:
- Visit your local police station immediately.
- Ensure you have your purchase bill and IMEI number ready.
- Carry your Aadhaar card and other valid identification documents.
- Register a formal complaint on the CEIR portal.
Once a complaint is registered, updates regarding the status of the device recovery will be provided directly to the citizen's registered mobile number.