Honey Singh concert, 50 mobiles stolen by thieves

Over 50 high-end phones stolen at Shela event; police acknowledge only 23 thefts.

The much-anticipated Honey Singh concert at Shavana Lawns in Shela turned into a logistical nightmare for the city police, who were already under pressure to maintain law and order. On Sunday morning, officers at the Sarkhej police station were greeted by nearly 50 individuals — not holding concert tickets, but presenting complaints about stolen mobile phones.

Ahead of major events like this, police typically prepare security plans to anticipate issues like mobile theft, which is common at large gatherings. Despite the concert’s estimated attendance of around 10,000 people—lower than many other concerts—thieves managed to steal approximately 50 high-end mobile phones. This figure is alarmingly high for a single event. However, police officials reported only 23 complaints, raising questions about the full scope of the thefts. DCP Zone-7 Shivam Verma confirmed the reports, stating, “We have registered the stolen mobile phones and their numbers on the national portal. Whenever a phone is activated or a new SIM card is inserted, the portal will notify us, enabling us to track the devices.”

The modus operandi of mobile theft gangs is well-known. These gangs target events with large crowds, where they can blend in unnoticed. They often buy tickets and mingle with the audience, operating individually or in small groups to snatch phones before swiftly exiting the venue.

Recovery of stolen phones proves to be a significant challenge, especially when organized gangs are involved. Authorities acknowledge that some of these gangs operate nationwide, stealing phones at large events and smuggling them to countries like Nepal or Bangladesh, where they are sold.

Despite the thefts, police reports suggest that only 23 cases were officially acknowledged. Sources allege that the police downplayed the extent of the thefts, likely to avoid embarrassment. Instead of addressing the increasing incidents of theft and violence, law enforcement appears to be more focused on managing the public image, leaving residents concerned about the safety of future large-scale events in the city.

AM