Archive · 29 Sep 2026
AI Surveillance Helps Mumbai Police Crack Ganpati Immersion Thefts
A very large crowd gathered at Girgaon Chowpatty for Ganpati immersion.
Many people reported that their mobile phones had been stolen.
Police used cameras, drones and computer-assisted surveillance to watch the area.
This helped them identify people suspected of stealing phones.
Police said 162 phones were reported stolen this year, compared with 232 last year.
They recovered 23 phones and arrested several adults and young people.
Chain-snatching reports also fell compared with last year.
The police are still looking for other suspects and more stolen phones.
Police reported 162 mobile phones stolen at Girgaon Chowpatty during Ganpati immersion on Anant Chaturdashi.
DB Marg Police used about 100 CCTV cameras, three drones and AI-based surveillance to monitor the crowd.
Police said mobile theft reports fell from 232 last year to 162 this year, a decline of about 30%.
Investigators recovered 23 phones and reported arrests involving three adults and four juveniles, although the article later specifies three juveniles.
Chain-snatching cases fell from four during last year’s immersion to one this year, according to police.
- Who
- DB Marg Police, along with other police personnel, investigated the reported thefts and chain-snatching cases.
- What
- Police used AI-based surveillance, CCTV cameras and drones to investigate mobile thefts and apprehend suspects.
- When
- During Ganpati immersion on Anant Chaturdashi; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- Girgaon Chowpatty in Mumbai, with one suspect reportedly apprehended from Andheri.
- Why
- The surveillance was deployed to monitor the large crowd, deter criminal activity and identify suspects.
- Reported mobile thefts
- 162 phones were reported stolen this year.
- Mobile thefts last year
- 232 phones were reported stolen during the comparable immersion period last year.
- Surveillance deployed
- About 100 CCTV cameras and three drones, alongside AI-based technology.
- Phones recovered
- 23 stolen mobile phones.
- Chain-snatching cases
- One case this year, compared with four last year, according to police.
- Reported arrests
- Police reported three adult accused and four juveniles arrested in the theft cases.
- Investigation status
- DB Marg Police said they were continuing efforts to identify others and recover more phones.