The massive crowds that gathered across Mumbai for Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi became a target for thieves, with gangs allegedly stealing mobile phones and gold jewellery from devotees. Police have arrested 18 accused, including two women and a minor, in connection with the thefts, police said.

More than 200 complaints concerning lost and stolen mobile phones were received at various police stations during the immersion festivities. Police registered cases involving 192 lost or stolen mobile phones, while 10 separate cases were filed over mobile phone and gold chain thefts.