An unsettling reality is emerging behind the mystery of missing premium smartphones. Despite being registered on the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, many high-end devices are never recovered, with a new modus operandi that seems impenetrable. Selling parts for the win Experts reveal that earlier, thieves would sell stolen phones at throwaway prices. But the thieves have smartened up and instead of selling complete devices, stolen premium smartphones are now dismantled, and their individual components sold off. Today, smartphones are in every hand, and snatching it from the hand means easy money. Selling off parts is not only earning them higher profits, but has drastically reduced the possibility of the thieves being traced. Individual mobile phone parts are not traceable since the complete devices are linked to IMEI numbers. As a result, while low-cost phones are still being recovered through the CEIR system, expensive smartphones, especially iPhones, often vanish without a trace. What’s the cost? A ground investigation by Sunday mid-day found that the display (LCD/OLED) is the costliest, accounting for nearly 50 per cent of a phone’s total value. iPhone Pro 17(Approx. Rs 1.55 lakh)Display: Rs 50,000 – Rs 55,000 (black market) | Rs 67,000 (service centre)Motherboard: Rs 50,000Camera: Rs 4,000 – Rs 5,000Storage: Rs 8,000 – Rs 10,000*At the service centre, these parts are typically Rs 10,000 – Rs 15,000 costlier Samsung Fold Series(Approx. Rs 1.5 lakh)Black market resale: Rs 1.15 lakhInner Display: Rs 50,000 | Rs 62,000 (service centre)Outer Display: Rs 15,000 | Rs 18,500 (service centre)Camera/Lens: Rs 4,000 - Rs 5,000Body: Rs 22,000 – Rs 25,000 The price gap and the availability of “original” parts have led many consumers to prefer black-market purchases. Parts hard to trace Once dismantled, individual parts cannot be traced. No IMEI linkage remains; components are easily resold. The removal of key components like the CPU or motherboard makes a phone virtually untraceable. A single company alone facilitates transactions worth over Rs 50 lakh worth of second-hand and damaged phones using online platforms. Stolen phones are sent abroad, particularly to countries like China and other countries, where their IMEI numbers are altered. They are then reintroduced into India’s second-hand market. What can you do? >> Enable location tracking and keep it switched on at all times >> Activate “Find My Device” and ensure it is properly configured >> Use strong screen locks and biometric recognition>> Avoid keeping phones unattended in public places >> Act immediately if the phone is lost — do not delay What can the government do? >> Mandate eSIM support in all smartphones sold in India >> Encourage or require low-power Bluetooth tracking standards in Android devices >> Introduce regulations for secure shutdown mechanisms (password-protected power-off) Be smart with your phone Mobile phone theft has become increasingly common in urban areas, but many cases can be mitigated if both users and policymakers adopt smarter preventive measures. While law enforcement agencies do their part, there is often a critical delay between theft and recovery. It is during these first few minutes that the chances of retrieving a lost or stolen phone are the highest. Ankur Puranik, Cyber and Electronics Expert 1. Low-power Bluetooth tracking (even when switched off) One of the most effective technological solutions is low-power Bluetooth tracking, as Apple has implemented in its ecosystem. Even when a phone appears to be switched off, it can continue to emit a secure, low-energy Bluetooth signal. Nearby devices can detect this signal and anonymously relay the location to a central server. If widely implemented in Android devices, this feature could significantly improve recovery rates. 2. Mandatory eSIM Adoption The use of eSIM technology can play a crucial role in preventing the misuse of stolen phones. This makes it harder for thieves to disconnect the device from the network, allowing tracking systems to function for a longer duration. 3. Restricting power-off without authentication A simple yet powerful safeguard would be requiring a password, PIN, or biometric authentication before a phone can be switched off. Thieves power off devices immediately, cutting off tracking capabilities.
05 April,2026 08:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Bangur Nagar Police have arrested a serial molester with nothing to go on but his shadow on CCTV footage. The accused allegedly molested three women in a span of a couple of months, with the last incident occurring last week. “He targeted lone women while riding a motorcycle. As he passed by them, he would touch their chest or back and then flee,” an officer said. All incidents took place within the jurisdiction of Bangur Nagar police station. “We arrested the accused four days ago. He committed three crimes in the last couple of months in the jurisdiction of Bangur Nagar police,” said Senior Inspector Ravindra Avhad. The suspect, police sources said, is a 25-year-old electrician who resides in Aarey Colony. “With no clear leads, we relied on minor clues like the accused’s shoes and his shadow captured in CCTV footage to track him down. He fled on a motorcycle after committing the crimes, but the vehicle’s number plate was not clearly visible in footage,” said an officer. The footage showed him heading to Aarey, so they focused investigations there. But once again, CCTV footage only shows his shadow. The police followed this shadow all the way to his neighbourhood, where they found his bike. They then watched the bike for eight hours, until he showed up, at which point they arrested him. During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime and one more similar offence under the jurisdiction of Samta Nagar police. “We are now probing further to determine if more cases are linked to the accused,” the officer added.
05 April,2026 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanCyber fraudsters posing as CBI officers allegedly duped a 42-year-old man from Maharashtra's Thane district of Rs 71.1 lakh after threatening to implicate him in a false case of harassment, police said on Saturday, reported news agency PTI. According to the police, the victim, a resident of Dombivli, received a call in the first week of March from an unidentified person claiming to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), reported PTI. "The caller told the complainant that he had sent abusive messages to women and that a case was registered against him at Ghatkopar police station, and that the CBI was probing the matter," an officer said. Subsequently, the two accused, posing as CBI officers, contacted the victim, alleging that his bank transactions indicated fraudulent activities. "The duo claimed that multiple agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), would investigate the case. They also sent forged documents, purportedly from the Supreme Court, to make their claims appear genuine," the officer added, reported PTI. He said that the accused demanded money in phases from the complainant to settle the case, assuring that the amount would be refunded. The victim shelled out Rs 71.1 lakh through online transactions, he said. The fraud came to light after the victim shared details of the transactions with his wife, who questioned the accused and verified the documents sent to them. On finding discrepancies, the family realised they had been cheated, reported PTI. A case of cheating was registered earlier this week at the Tilak Nagar police station under relevant provisions of the IT Act, and a probe is underway, the official said. Beed man duped of Rs 23.42 lakh in 'digital arrest' fraud; three held In another case, three persons, including a woman, have been arrested for allegedly duping a man of Rs 23.42 lakh by threatening him with 'digital arrest' in Maharashtra's Beed district, police said on Friday, reported PTI. The police recently arrested the accused, Prasann Ajay Kasat (31), his wife, Swati (26), and their aide, Sanket Deepak Beldar (22), from Jalgaon in connection with the fraud, an official said, reported PTI. According to the police, the trio allegedly posed as police officials and threatened to place the victim, Suryakant Munde, a resident of Parli Vaijnath, under digital arrest to extort money from him, reported PTI. Investigations revealed that the fraudsters duped the victim of Rs 23.42 lakh and diverted the money to their bank accounts, they said. The police traced the accused based on technical analysis, seized Rs 3 lakh cash from them and froze their bank accounts, the official said, adding that further investigation is underway to identify other members of their gang involved in the racket. (With inputs from PTI)
04 April,2026 05:41 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentBanned gutkha and tobacco products worth Rs 6.6 lakh were seized from a tempo abandoned on the roadside in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Saturday, PTI reported. Acting on a tip-off, a team from the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai-Virar (MBVV) police found the tempo abandoned in the jurisdiction of the Navghar police station on March 31. Banned gutkha, pan masala, and flavoured tobacco products worth Rs 6.6 lakh were seized from the vehicle, the police added, noting that a case has been registered against the unidentified driver and owner of the tempo under the Food Safety and Standards Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Mumbai Police seize banned gutkha worth over Rs 2 crore in Mulund, 10 arrested In a similar incident in January, the Mumbai Police seized banned gutkha and flavoured pan masala products worth over Rs 2 crore from Mulund, arresting 10 persons in connection with the illegal trade, officials said. Tip-off leads police to stockpile near Mulund toll plaza Acting on confidential information, the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 7) received inputs that government-banned products were being transported in small vehicles and stored on vacant land near the old toll plaza close to the Paroli toll plaza in Mulund East. Following the tip-off, a team from Mulund Police Station conducted a raid at the identified location at around 6 am on January 8 under senior officers’ guidance. 14 vehicles seized, 10 persons detained During the operation, police seized 14 vehicles — including three Eicher trucks, 10 other vehicles and a car — and detained 10 persons allegedly involved in the illegal transportation and storage of banned products. A substantial stock of gutkha, chewing tobacco and flavoured pan masala of various brands was recovered from the seized vehicles. Seizure valued at over Rs 2.01 crore Officials said the banned products were valued at Rs 80,55,620, while the seized vehicles were estimated to be worth Rs 1,20,75,000, taking the total seizure value to Rs 2,01,30,620. The accused have been booked at Vikhroli Police Station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Two accused identified, probe underway Among those arrested are Adil Abubakar Sheikh (37) and Siraj Unullah Siddique (30). Further investigation into the supply chain and network is ongoing. Senior police officials commended the Mulund Police team for executing the operation under the supervision of officers from the eastern region.
04 April,2026 12:52 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe leopard killing case took a dramatic turn on Thursday with two key accused — Anil Dhawade and Harshad Chandar Jadhav — surrendering before forest officials hours after their arrest. Their disclosures triggered a late-night crackdown, leading to two more being picked. This takes the total number of accused in custody to six. They were produced in court and remanded to the forest department’s custody till April 4. Anil Dhavde and Harshad Chandar Jadhav, the key accused arrested on Thursday Key confession Sources said the duo, residents from the periphery of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), have revealed crucial details during questioning. “They may have carried out the actual killing” an official said. Preliminary inquiries indicate all six accused are from settlements along the park’s periphery and encroached forest pockets, though individual roles are still being verified. Dinish Pagora and Santosh Ghoshe, the duo arrested based on statements by the key accused Probe expands Forest officials will conduct a detailed spot panchnama inside the park today, recreating the crime scene with the accused at the exact location of the killing. Investigators are also tracing where the remaining body parts were disposed of. Sources said more arrests cannot be ruled out as the probe progresses.
04 April,2026 09:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavA former BMC corporator from Chembur has been booked nearly two decades later for allegedly contesting and winning a civic election from a Scheduled Caste (SC) reserved seat using a fake caste certificate, in a case that has resurfaced after years of inaction. According to Chembur police, an FIR was registered on Thursday against Ramesh Suresh Kamble, 55. Police allege that Kamble fraudulently obtained a caste certificate in 1998, claiming he belonged to the Hindu Mahar community, and used it to contest the 2002 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election from Ward 192, a seat reserved for Scheduled Caste, on a Congress ticket. How case came to light The issue first came to light when the runner-up candidate, Rajendra Waman Waghmare approached the Caste Scrutiny Committee at Konkan Bhavan in CBD Belapur. Kamble challenged the decision in court, but both the Bombay High Court and later the Supreme Court upheld the committee’s findings, ruling the certificate to be bogus. Despite these findings, no criminal case was registered at the time. System wakes up Police said the present FIR has been filed based on Salunke’s complaint, which cites the earlier findings and court orders. The case was initially registered as a zero FIR at Belapur police station before being transferred to Chembur, which has jurisdiction over Ward 192, where the election documents were submitted. Kamble has now been booked under multiple sections of the IPC, including cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust, and using forged documents as genuine. In a letter to the additional commissioner of police (East Region), Salunke alleged that despite clear findings, Chembur police had failed to initiate proceedings earlier. She termed police response “mechanical” and raised concerns over the probe, seeking that the investigation be transferred to the Crime Branch. Key numbers 20 years Delay before criminal case 4721 votes Votes secured by Kamble 3252 votes Votes secured by runner-up 4+ years Time served as corporator 1 seat SC-reserved ward allegedly secured with fake claim 1998 Caste certificate allegedly obtained 2002 Contests and wins BMC election (ward 192) 2005 (Nov) Caste scrutiny committee declares certificate invalid 2006 Term as corporator ends HC + SC Uphold certificate as bogus 2026 FIR finally registered
04 April,2026 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerIn a swift action, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch’s Unit 6, in coordination with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) health officials, raided two illegal clinics in the Shivajinagar area of Govandi and arrested two men for practising medicine without proper qualifications. The accused, identified as Rajiv Kapildev Rajan (34) and Kuberanath Gomti Yadav (56), were allegedly examining patients and administering treatments, including injections and antibiotics, while charging hefty consultation fees. Neither of them possessed a valid medical degree, licence, or registration with the Maharashtra Medical Council. During the raid, the police seized a significant quantity of medicines, injections, syringes, and other medical equipment from the clinics. Two separate first information reports (FIRs) have been registered at Shivajinagar Police Station under relevant sections of the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, 1961. In a press note, the police said the operation was based on credible intelligence and carried out under the supervision of senior officers, including Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Additional Commissioner (Crime) Shailesh Balkawade, and Deputy Commissioner (Zone 1) Vishal Thakur. The raid was led by Unit 6 in-charge, Inspector Bharat Ghone. Maharashtra to form committee against bogus doctors, illegal nursing homes in state In March, the Maharashtra government announced plans to form a committee to monitor bogus doctors and unauthorised nursing homes in the state. The panel will identify individuals practising medicine without proper qualifications and clinics operating without the required permissions. The government has also stated it plans to amend the existing law to increase penalties for such violations, including stricter fines and longer jail terms for fake doctors and illegally operating hospitals. Members of the state Legislative Council raised concerns about the lack of checks on bogus doctors and nursing homes in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. They demanded stern action and strict punishment for erring doctors and hospitals. Replying on behalf of Eknath Shinde, who holds the urban development portfolio, Minister Uday Samant informed the State Legislative Council that the government has decided to form a committee to address this issue. Samant further stated that the committee will inspect all clinics, hospitals, and complaints, and submit a report to the Maharashtra Legislative Council before the next session, expected to commence in June during the monsoon session.
03 April,2026 04:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA priest was arrested in Dombivli area of Thane district in Maharashtra for allegedly sexually assaulting a 5-year-old girl, a police official said, reported the PTI. According to a Tilaknagar police station official, the suspect used to visit homes of the people to perform rituals. "He was known to the victim's family. When the minor's parents had stepped out for work, he allegedly entered the house and sexually assaulted the girl. He was arrested after the child narrated the ordeal to her parents, who lodged a complaint," he said, according to the PTI. The accused was booked under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the official informed. Palghar Zilla Parishad staffer booked for molesting teenage girl Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 45-year-old employee from the Palghar Zilla Parishad in Maharashtra has been booked for allegedly molesting a minor girl under the pretext of providing information about a scholarship programme, police said on Friday, as per the PTI. The 17-year-old girl had visited the education department of the Zilla Parishad office on April 1 along with her sister. During the interaction, an official allegedly touched her inappropriately while pretending to provide scholarship details, reported the PTI. Girl resisted the molestation The girl resisted the advances and reportedly slapped the accused before rushing to the Palghar police station to lodge a formal complaint, an official said. A case has been registered against the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, he said. Inquiry to be launched into the incident According to the PTI, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Manoj Ranade promised an inquiry into the alleged incident. "The said employee is known to be a good worker, and it is difficult to believe such an incident took place. We are awaiting a report from the police," Ranade told reporters. The CEO said the administration would not shield the accused if found guilty. "We have a Vishaka Committee (to handle sexual harassment at the workplace), which will look into the matter. We will also carry out an internal probe. If any wrongdoing is established, strict action will definitely be taken," he said, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
03 April,2026 03:52 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA 59-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly preparing fake documents to facilitate the illegal sale of a Navi Mumbai plot reserved for public use by CIDCO, police said on Friday, the PTI reported. Police stated that the plot, located in the Koparkhairane area, had been reserved by the planning agency City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) for public services and utilities. However, forged documents were allegedly created for the land, after which it was illegally sold, and construction activities were reportedly carried out on the site. Following a complaint, police launched an investigation and found that Prabhakar Atmaram Mhatre, a resident of Nerul village in Navi Mumbai, had allegedly fabricated the documents and facilitated the illegal sale of the CIDCO plot. He was taken into custody on Wednesday, an official said, PTI reported. Further investigation into the case is underway, the official added. Dream home turns nightmare as Mumbai Police crack fake flat racket Earlier in January, what seemed like a dream opportunity to buy “affordable flats” turned into a nightmare for many homebuyers, after Malad Police uncovered a well-organised property fraud racket that lured victims with under-construction apartments at unusually low prices. The police have arrested five accused in the case, while the alleged mastermind is absconding. The accused allegedly used popular real estate portals such as Housing.com, NoBroker, and social media platforms to post attractive advertisements offering flats worth around Rs 1 crore for just Rs 60–70 lakh. According to police, the gang’s biggest strength was the authenticity of its paperwork. Investigations revealed that one of the accused illegally procured flat-related documents from the registrar’s office, digitally replaced the real owner’s photograph with his own, and posed as the legitimate flat owner. “The documents appeared absolutely genuine. Once the buyer paid the advance amount, the accused would disappear,” a police officer said. In one such case, a 31-year-old complainant, Navaldev Narayan Rajput, a resident of Malad East, was allegedly cheated of Rs 30 lakh. The accused showed him Flat No. 1301 at Shubhashree Orchard, Zakaria Road, Malad West, claiming it belonged to one Poptlal. The deal took place between November 4 and December 23, 2025, and an FIR was registered on December 29, 2025. The case has been registered at Malad Police Station (CR No. 943/2025) under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including provisions related to cheating, forgery, impersonation, criminal conspiracy, and misappropriation. (With PTI inputs)
03 April,2026 02:24 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentTwo suspects, including a man and his girlfriend, was held for allegedly murdering a man in north Mumbai and transporting his body to Chiplun in Maharashtra’s Konkan region for disposal. The investigation was launched after the remains of one Ejaz Qureshi—who was reportedly killed in Malad in November last year—were discovered on Tuesday, officials said, reported the PTI. The police recovered charred remains in a mango orchard in Awatewadi village of Rampur area in Chiplun, including bones, a ring, and an iron rod lodged in the victim’s leg. According to the PTI, within 24 hours of the discovery, authorities identified Vishal Khoddekar and his girlfriend Jannatunisa Khan as suspects. Khoddekar allegedly confessed to assaulting Qureshi during a financial dispute, resulting in his death. The conflict reportedly arose after Khan rented a property from Qureshi, paid a high deposit, and later demanded her money back. Attempt to destroy evidence According to the police, Khoddekar later returned to Chiplun upon discovering the exposed body and set it on fire using diesel in an attempt to destroy evidence. Both Khoddekar and Khan have been remanded in police custody for six days while the investigation continues. Mumbai Police nabs man accused in attempt to murder case after 45 years Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 72-year-old man was arrested from Sangli after being on the run for 45 years in an attempt to murder case registered in Mumbai, a police official said on Thursday, reported the PTI. The Trombay police station official identified the accused as Popat Govind Vaydande, who was held from Ambegaon in Kadegaon taluka. The attempt to murder case registered in 1981 was recently reopened after a court sought a search report and directed absconder Vaydande to appear before it, the official said. "Our subsequent probe found he was externed from Mumbai in 1981. A tip off led police to Shenoli in Satara, where he once lived with a woman. This 74-year-old woman was found living in a hut under a railway bridge in Shenoli. She had left Vyadande due to the latter's alcoholism. Her daughter told police he might be in Sangli," the official said, according to the PTI. Vaydande was arrested from a field, and his identity was confirmed through a voter's ID card, the official added. (with PTI inputs)
03 April,2026 02:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA petty dispute over Rs 600 escalated into a horrifying incident in Pal Nagar, Kurar, Malad East on Wednesday afternoon, leaving eight to nine people injured with acid burns. What transpired A financial disagreement between a family dealing with imitation jewellery and a workshop owner spiralled out of control, leading to a heated argument. The situation worsened when a group barged into the plating workshop. Workshop owner Samar Bahadur Singh During the chaos, the workshop owner picked up a container of acid used for polishing imitation jewellery and attempted to throw it at the other group. In the struggle that followed, acid spilt out of the container, injuring nearly everyone present with acid burns. Senior Police Inspector Umesh Patil confirmed that all those injured are receiving treatment, and an investigation is underway. Background of dispute Singh runs a plating workshop for imitation jewellery. The Kanojia family, who deal in imitation jewellery, used his services. During an online transaction of Rs 26,000, an amount of Rs 27,000 was mistakenly transferred. After deducting Rs 400 as labour charges, Rs 600 was to be returned, triggering the dispute. How it escalated Sheetal Kanojia visited the workshop to demand the amount when the argument broke out. Later, her son, Mayur Kanojia, returned with friends, and the dispute turned violent. During the scuffle, acid spilt from the container, injuring everyone involved. Police arrest three Samar Bahadur Singh, 38 (workshop owner)Hemant Rathod, 20Nitin Dhobi, 24 Police action >> Cross FIRs registered against both groups>> Three accused arrested, more under investigation>> Injured admitted to hospitals; condition reported stable
03 April,2026 08:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanADVERTISEMENT
