Jaipur: Jaipur Police have recovered 790 lost and stolen mobile phones valued at around ₹2 crore under a special recovery initiative named “Operation Re-Call”, officials said on Wednesday. The operation, conducted by the Jaipur East Police, is part of an ongoing effort to trace missing mobile devices using technical surveillance and digital tracking systems, and return them to their rightful owners.
According to police officials, the recovered mobile phones were traced over several months using coordinated monitoring of IMEI numbers, telecom data analysis, and support from the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) system. The CEIR platform, developed by the Government of India, allows law enforcement agencies to block, track, and trace lost or stolen mobile devices once they are reported.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Ranjita Sharma said the operation was carried out as part of a targeted strategy to address rising complaints related to mobile theft and loss in Jaipur. She said mobile phones are among the most commonly reported stolen items, and in many cases, they are quickly transferred across districts or states, making recovery difficult without technical intervention.
Police officials said the recovered devices include a mix of smartphones reported lost, stolen, or misplaced over recent months. The phones belong to different brands and price categories and were traced from multiple locations, including Rajasthan and other states. Authorities said some of the devices had been resold in secondary markets, while others were found in active use with new SIM cards.
Under Operation Re-Call, police teams analysed complaint records registered at various police stations and matched them with data available through digital tracking systems. Once a mobile device was flagged, its IMEI number was monitored for network activity. When the device connected to a mobile network with a new SIM card, alerts were generated, helping investigators locate and verify its usage.
Officials said that after verification, all recovered mobile phones are being processed for return to their original owners through formal identification procedures. Claimants are required to provide proof of ownership before the devices are handed over by the police.
The police stated that the estimated value of the recovered phones is approximately ₹2 crore, though the actual value varies depending on model, condition, and usage period. The recovery includes smartphones belonging to multiple manufacturers and reflects a wide range of consumer devices.
DCP Sharma said the initiative reflects the use of technology in modern policing and helps improve recovery rates in cases involving mobile theft. She said the CEIR system has significantly enhanced the ability of police to track devices that were previously difficult to trace once they were taken across jurisdictions.
Officials also highlighted that Jaipur Police have conducted similar recovery drives in the past, focusing on property crimes involving mobile phones. Such operations have been increasingly supported by digital tools, which allow faster identification of stolen devices and improve coordination between telecom operators and law enforcement agencies.
Police have urged citizens to immediately report lost or stolen mobile phones through the CEIR portal, which helps block the device and reduces the risk of misuse. Officials said early reporting increases the chances of recovery, as devices can be tracked before they are resold or reactivated in different locations.
Authorities also advised the public to avoid purchasing second-hand mobile phones without proper verification of IMEI numbers, as stolen devices are often circulated in informal markets at lower prices. Police said awareness campaigns are being conducted to educate consumers about safe purchasing practices and reporting mechanisms.
In addition, cybercrime units in Jaipur are coordinating with telecom providers and national databases to monitor suspicious activity linked to stolen devices. Officials said that in cases where recovered phones are linked to financial fraud or cybercrime, further investigation is carried out under relevant provisions of law.
With the recovery of 790 mobile phones under Operation Re-Call, Jaipur Police said they will continue similar drives in the future as part of efforts to strengthen property crime detection and improve the use of technology in policing.
