In today’s fast-paced world, where a smartphone is more like a lifeline, losing a mobile phone can mean losing access to work, money, family, and identity. Recognising this, Mumbai Police has launched a determined campaign against mobile theft, one that has quickly become one of the most significant citizen-centric drives in recent years.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ms Lakhmi Gautam, a 2004 batch IPS officer of Maharashtra cadre, explained how the city is using CEIR – the Central Equipment Identity Register, created by the Government of India for lost and stolen phones. “People who have lost or misplaced their phones can register their device and IMEI number on the CEIR website to ensure that their phones cannot be misused,” he said.
Since June, Mumbai Police has put this system into active practice, with the DCP Cyber designated as the nodal officer and dedicated teams formed at every police station to support the process. Gautam noted how the results have been transformational: earlier, only 17 to 18 mobile phones were being recovered daily, but now the figure has risen to nearly 120 phones every day. In just two months, more than 10,000 stolen or misplaced phones have been retrieved.
For many, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, this has been nothing short of a blessing. As Gautam highlighted, “This special effort by Mumbai Police is proving to be a help, especially for poor and underprivileged citizens whose phones are misplaced or stolen and who cannot afford a new one. The sincere efforts made by Mumbai Police have enabled many of them to get back their phones.”
Beyond numbers, the campaign reflects the force’s long-term commitment. “This initiative, launched in June, is a continued process and reflects Mumbai Police’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of the common man,” Gautam told Indian Masterminds.
In a city where a mobile phone is a family’s link to survival, Mumbai Police’s CEIR initiative is not just about recovering property — it is about restoring lifelines, rebuilding trust, and reaffirming the promise of public service.
