Lok Sabha Question No. 2006 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Tracing of Stolen Electronic Devices
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: SULTAN  AHMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2006

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2017/ PHALGUNA 23, 1938 (SAKA)

## TRACING OF STOLEN ELECTRONIC DEVICES

2006. SHRI SULTAN AHMED:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  effective  mechanism  to  trace  of stolen items particularly missing electronic devices like mobile sets on the basis of missing reports in various police stations in the Delhi;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  number  of  complaints  received  in  this  regard  during  the  last  one year and the current year;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to trace all electronic devices and mobile  sets  alongwith  the  number  of  reports  which  are  still  pending  for investigation, particularly in Malviya Nagar Police Station;
- (e) the mechanism in place to track the progress status in investigation of such complaints and the nodal officers to be contacted in such matter; and
- (f) the corrective measures to strengthen the existing mechanism in view of the tardy process and dismal speed of investigation and report?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) to (d): Delhi Police has reported that in all the cases of theft of mobile phones  reported  to  the  Police  Stations  of  Delhi,  the  concerned  mobile service provider company is immediately requested to put the IMEI number

of the stolen/lost mobile phone under surveillance to enable the investigating agency to trace the mobile phone, if it is found to be used by someone.  In case, the stolen mobile phone is found active/functioning on a different  SIM/Mobile  number,  the  details  of  address  etc.,  of  the  user  are obtained  from  the  service  provider  company  and  physical  verification  is made at the address given in Customer Application Form (CAF).  Verification of  calls  made  from  stolen  mobile  set  is  also  done  to  verify  and  trace  the user of stolen mobile phone as well as to recover the same.

Sources  are  deployed  by  Delhi  Police  to  collect  information  regarding criminals  involved  in  the  crime  of  mobile  theft  etc.  Persons  having previous records/involvements in similar criminal cases are also interrogated to collect criminal intelligence in such cases. Further, raids are  also  conducted  at  suspicious  places/markets  which  are  known  for sale/purchase of used/stolen electronic devices including mobile phones.

The  details  of  total  number  of  cases  registered  on  stolen  electronic devices  by  Delhi  Police  during  the  last  one  year  and  current  year  (upto 28.2.17) are as under:-

| Year   | Name device   |   Total no. of cases registered on stolen electronic devices |
|--------|---------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2016   | Mobile        |                                                        36217 |
|        | Laptop        |                                                         3060 |
| 2017   | Mobile        |                                                        10497 |
|        | Laptop        |                                                          638 |

## L.S.US.Q.NO.2006 FOR 14.3.2017

The number of cases of electronic devices still pending for investigation during the years 2016 and 2017 (28.02.17) in Police Station Malviya Nagar is as under:

| Year      | Devices      |   No. of cases pending investigation |
|-----------|--------------|--------------------------------------|
| 2016      | Mobile Theft |                                   13 |
| 2016      | Laptop Theft |                                    4 |
| 2017 upto | Mobile Theft |                                   42 |
| 28.02.17  | Laptop Theft |                                   10 |

(e)  and  (f):  Delhi  Police  promptly  registers  reports  in  respect  of  theft  of mobile phones whenever any such complaint is reported. Investigation of such  cases  is  conducted  in  a  professional  manner.  All  out  efforts  are made  to  trace  &  recover  the  stolen  electronic  equipments  including mobile  phones.  Further,  the  progress  of  the  investigation  of  the  case  is given to the complainant/owner of the stolen mobile phones from time to time till the finalization/closure of the case and the SHO of the concerned police  station  can  be  contacted  to  know  the  progress  in  such  cases. Regular  follow-up  is  also  done  with  the  service  providers  to  ascertain whether the IMEI number of stolen mobile phone is active or not and to obtain the details of CDRs of stolen mobile phones in order to trace them.

## L.S.US.Q.NO.2006 FOR 14.3.2017

A separate section in the Zonal Integrated Police Network (ZIPNET) has been provided which contains the details (IMEI numbers) of stolen mobile handsets.  This website is accessible to the public and Delhi Police issues advertisements, from time to time, advising citizens to check the list of stolen  mobile  handsets  on  the  ZIPNET  before  purchasing  a  pre-owned mobile phone.

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