In a significant demonstration of tech-enabled public service, the New Delhi District Police has successfully traced and recovered hundreds of missing and lost mobile phones over the past nine months. By harnessing digital tools and a centralised registry, the police have bridged the gap between citizens and their lost devices, ensuring a high rate of return.
Leveraging the CEIR Portal for Recovery
Since April 2025, police teams have successfully tracked down 515 missing or lost mobile phones. The key to this success has been the strategic use of the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, a database that tracks mobile devices through their unique IMEI numbers. This technological approach has allowed officers to trace phones not just within the national capital but also across neighbouring states.
Devesh Kumar Mahla, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi), highlighted the effectiveness of combining technical surveillance with CEIR data. Out of the total devices recovered, 399 have already been returned to their rightful owners. The remaining phones are currently undergoing the necessary verification processes before being handed over.
Transparent Handover Through Public Events
To ensure a smooth and transparent return process, the police organised several dedicated mobile phone return events. The first major handover occurred on May 17, where 76 recovered phones were returned. This was followed by a larger event on December 18, which saw a remarkable 276 devices restored to their owners. Another ceremony on December 30 facilitated the return of 47 more mobile phones.
These events are part of a broader initiative to build public trust and demonstrate the efficacy of police procedures. The effort aligns with wider drives like Operation Vishwas, under which the southern range of Delhi Police recently returned over 1,000 recovered mobile phones at a public ceremony in south Delhi.
A Holistic Approach to Cyber Safety
The recovery drive was not conducted in isolation. More than 70 police teams were deployed for this mission, working in tandem with cyber safety outreach programs. These initiatives aim to educate the public on preventing digital frauds and safeguarding their personal devices, creating a more comprehensive security ecosystem.
The consistent success in recovering lost phones underscores a shift towards proactive, technology-driven policing in Delhi. It provides a replicable model for other districts and states, showcasing how digital infrastructure can be leveraged to solve everyday problems for citizens effectively and efficiently.
