In Karnataka, cops return 2,500 lost phones in 2 weeks

BENGALURU: At least 2,500 mobile phones that were stolen or lost have been returned to their owners in the last two weeks, thanks to the Central Equipment Identify Registry (CEIR) system. This complaining mechanism provides for deactivating the stolen devices and alerts police whenever an attempt is made to use them.

Once the complaint is made providing all details of the device and its owner on the CEIR portal, the mobile automatically gets blocked. Any attempt to use the device by inserting a new sim card will result in police getting an alert about the number and location, and other details of the new user. The cops will activate the device, call back the number, tell the receiver that it is a stolen phone and he/she should return it or face legal consequences. The sim card used b y the r eceiver provides all details making it easy for police to get in touch with him/her. Mostly, the mobiles are returned to police through couriers.
Director general and inspector general of police Praveen Sood told TOI that Karnataka implemented the CEIR after Delhi and Mumbai. “Since its implementationfrom mid-February, we have returned at least 2,500 mobile phones to their owners. Of them, nearly 2,000 were traced in Bengaluru and the rest in different districts,” he said.
For those who are not aware of logginginto CEIR portal, they can walk to any nearby police station and seek the assistance of the staff in uploading their device details. “If the mobile is not returned, whoever has it can’t use it as it will be a dead device,” Sood s aid. The system, however, requires that the mobile and sim be registered in Karnataka. However, the device can be traced to any part of the country. “Earlier, tracing devices take n out of Karnataka was difficult. Now, it is easy,” an IPS officer said.
Raman Gupta, police commissioner, Hubballi-Dharwad, told TOI they have returned nearly 40 phones to their owners in the last couple of weeks and 50 more, which are traced and on their way, will be given back soon. Also, citizens of Hubballi-Dharwad can upload details of such phones on the WhatsApp number (8277952828). A link with a form will be sent to the person who sends a ‘Hi’ message to this number and the form that is filled and sent, will reach the people concerned.
Gadag district, too, has come up with a WhatsApp number (8277969900), district SP BS Nemagoud said. “Those ignorant of CEIR can visit the police station to lodge complaints, ourstaff will assist them. If a mobile is lost, a complaint is filed through the E-lost app. If robbed, an FIR will be registered and details will be uploaded on CEIR portal,” he said.
Gadag police have returned 26 mobile phones and another 41 have been traced. Hubballi-Dharwad and Gadag have made more recoveries in two weeks.