In a significant public outreach initiative, the Madurai City Police on Wednesday successfully returned 550 lost or stolen mobile phones to their rightful owners. The handover ceremony was spearheaded by Police Commissioner Dr J Loganathan, highlighting the force's commitment to citizen service.
Recovery and Restitution: A Year of Success
The event underscored a highly productive year for the city's law enforcement. Throughout 2025, Madurai police recovered and returned an impressive total of 1,132 mobile phones. The cumulative value of these recovered devices is estimated to be around ₹1.7 crore, representing a substantial financial saving for the affected citizens.
This achievement was part of a broader trend of improved law and order. Police officials revealed that the city witnessed a dramatic decrease in various crime categories. Notably, cases of hurt declined by 43%, while attempted murder cases saw a steep 58% reduction compared to the figures from 2024.
Strategic Crackdown and Convictions
The police attributed this positive shift to a series of targeted and sustained actions. A key strategy involved the detention of 87 habitual offenders under the stringent Goondas Act. This preventive measure significantly disrupted criminal networks and repeat offences.
Further intensifying their efforts, the police focused on tracing and producing absconding accused before the courts. This drive helped in reducing the number of pending cases and acted as a deterrent. In a major victory for the judicial process, 25 history-sheeters involved in 11 separate cases were convicted and sentenced to over 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The most striking statistic was the 74% plunge in robbery cases during the year.
Road Safety and Future Policing Vision
The success story extended beyond crime control to encompass public safety. The Traffic Police's enhanced monitoring and proactive accident prevention measures yielded excellent results. The city recorded a marked reduction in both road accidents and fatalities compared to the previous year.
Looking ahead, Police Commissioner Dr J Loganathan outlined the force's future roadmap. He stated that the police would intensify preventive and visible policing in the coming years. A data-driven approach will be central to this strategy. Area-wise crime analysis will be employed to strengthen enforcement in identified hotspots, ensuring resources are deployed efficiently to maintain and improve upon the current law and order gains.
