Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Ganesh Visarjan Crowds Bring 18 Arrests, 192 Mobile Theft Complaints
During Ganesh Visarjan, very large crowds gathered in Mumbai.
Police say thieves used the crowds to steal phones, jewellery and purses.
Eighteen people were arrested, including two women and a minor.
More than 200 people reported missing or stolen phones.
Police officially recorded complaints involving 192 phones.
Ten cases also involved stolen phones and gold chains.
Officers recovered 14 phones and seven gold chains.
Police are checking cameras and phone records to find more suspects.
Mumbai Police arrested 18 people, including two women and a minor, over thefts during Ganesh Visarjan.
Police received more than 200 complaints and registered cases involving 192 lost or stolen mobile phones.
Ten separate cases were filed over mobile-phone and gold-chain thefts during the immersion celebrations.
Police recovered 14 smartphones and seven gold chains from the accused.
CCTV footage and the Central Equipment Identity Register are being used to identify suspects and trace stolen phones.
- Who
- Mumbai Police, devotees, and alleged theft gangs involving local and out-of-state suspects.
- What
- Police arrested 18 people after mobile phones, gold chains and purses were allegedly stolen during Ganesh Visarjan.
- When
- During the Ganesh Visarjan celebrations on Anant Chaturdashi; police reported the arrests on Tuesday.
- Where
- Across Mumbai, including Lalbaug, Parel, Girgaon Chowpatty, Chinchpokli and Bharatmata Junction.
- Why
- Police say organised pickpocketing gangs took advantage of the massive crowds during immersion processions.
- Arrests
- 18 accused, including two women and a minor
- Mobile complaints
- 192 official complaints involving lost or stolen mobile phones
- Additional cases
- 10 cases involving mobile-phone and gold-chain thefts
- Recovered property
- 14 smartphones and seven gold chains
- CCTV review
- Footage from more than 100 cameras is being examined
- Tracking method
- The Mumbai Police Cyber Cell and Technical Analysis Branch are using the Central Equipment Identity Register and IMEI numbers
- Main locations
- Lalbaug, Parel and Girgaon Chowpatty, among other immersion-route areas