52 stolen phones seized in Ahmedabad; inter-state gang busted across Gujarat, Rajasthan
Synopsis
Ahmedabad Police's Local Crime Branch busted an inter-state mobile theft ring ahead of Diwali, seizing 52 stolen premium phones worth ₹4.94 lakh and cracking 12 cases spanning Gujarat and Rajasthan — including one registered as far back as September in Kota.
Key Takeaways
Ahmedabad Police arrested Sadamhusen Sheikh, 20 , and Tanveer alias Tanu Sheikh, 21 , allegedly members of an inter-state mobile theft gang.
52 stolen mobile phones worth ₹4.94 lakh and a scooter worth ₹60,000 were seized — total property value ₹5.54 lakh .
Recovered devices include premium brands: Apple, Samsung and Google Pixel .
Arrests helped detect 12 cases across Ahmedabad and Kota, Rajasthan , including one FIR dating to 23 September 2026 .
Two others — Imran Ghanchi and Faizan of Modasa — remain wanted; investigation is ongoing.
Operation was part of a special Diwali security drive ordered by DCP (Zone-7) Shivam Verma .
Ahmedabad Police on Monday, 3 November 2026 arrested two men allegedly part of an inter-state mobile theft gang, recovering 52 stolen mobile phones worth ₹4.94 lakh and a scooter valued at ₹60,000 — bringing the total seized property to ₹5.54 lakh. The operation simultaneously helped detect 12 mobile theft cases registered across Ahmedabad and Rajasthan.
How the Arrests Unfolded
The Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Zone-7 intercepted the two accused during routine patrolling in the Satellite area of Ahmedabad, acting on a tip-off. According to police, the men were en route to Modasa to sell the stolen devices when they were stopped.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sadamhusen Sheikh, 20, a resident of Vejalpur, and Tanveer alias Tanu Sheikh, 21, a resident of Danilimda. Two others — Imran Ghanchi of Fatehwadi, Vejalpur, and Faizan of Modasa — have been named as wanted accused in the case.
The Recovered Devices
Among the 52 phones recovered are premium devices manufactured by Apple, Samsung, and Google Pixel, underscoring the gang's apparent targeting of high-value handsets. The seized scooter, believed to have been used for the thefts, was also taken into custody.
Cases Detected Across Two States
The arrests helped link the accused to 12 cases in total: seven FIRs registered at police stations in Satellite, Maninagar, Kagdapith, Nava Vadaj, Sarkhej, Karanj and Narol; four e-FIRs at Sola, Nava Vadaj, Vastrapur and Ellisbridge stations; and one case at Kota Police Station, Rajasthan, registered on 23 September 2026. The Ahmedabad cases include offences under Sections 303(2), 304(2) and Section 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Diwali Security Backdrop
The operation was conducted as part of a special security drive ahead of Diwali, with senior officials having directed all zones to step up surveillance in markets, shopping malls and crowded public spaces to curb mobile phone and chain-snatching incidents. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) Shivam Verma had specifically instructed police stations and the LCB to increase patrolling, carry out vehicle checks and monitor suspicious movement.
Anti-snatching teams were also directed to respond immediately to complaints by deploying roadblocks, mobile phone location tracking and CCTV analysis to identify and apprehend suspects. This is consistent with a broader Gujarat Police pattern of pre-festival crackdowns that have historically spiked detection rates in the weeks around major holidays.
Further investigation into the case, including the hunt for the two wanted accused, is under way.
Point of View
But the two wanted accused still at large suggest the distribution end of the chain remains intact. Until the Modasa resale network is dismantled, seizures of this scale are likely to recur each festive season without meaningfully disrupting supply.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Ahmedabad mobile theft gang case?
Two men — Sadamhusen Sheikh, 20 , of Vejalpur and Tanveer alias Tanu Sheikh, 21 , of Danilimda — were arrested by the Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Zone-7 in Ahmedabad. Two others, Imran Ghanchi and Faizan of Modasa , have been named as wanted accused.
How many stolen phones were recovered and what is their value?
Police recovered 52 stolen mobile phones worth ₹4.94 lakh , along with a scooter valued at ₹60,000 , putting total seized property at ₹5.54 lakh . The phones include premium brands such as Apple, Samsung and Google Pixel.
How many cases were detected and which states are involved?
The arrests helped detect 12 cases — seven FIRs and four e-FIRs across multiple Ahmedabad police stations, plus one case at Kota Police Station in Rajasthan registered on 23 September 2026 . This makes it a cross-state operation spanning Gujarat and Rajasthan .
Why was the anti-theft drive intensified at this time?
The operation was part of a special Diwali security arrangement ordered by senior officials to boost surveillance in markets, malls and crowded public areas. DCP (Zone-7) Shivam Verma directed police stations and the LCB to increase patrolling and vehicle checks ahead of the festive season.
What laws have been applied in the Ahmedabad cases?
The Ahmedabad cases have been registered under Sections 303(2) and 304(2) , along with Section 54 , of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) . Further investigation is under way, including the search for the two wanted accused.
