Delhi Police recovered 2,400 lost and stolen mobile phones valued at over ₹2.5 crore in the first half of 2026, under its citizen-facing initiative Operation Vishwas. The recovery drive, led by the Anti Snatching Cell of the South-West District, combined digital tracking, technical surveillance, and field verification to trace devices reported missing across the national capital.

Scale of the Recovery

Of the 2,400 phones recovered between 1 January and 30 June 2026, the Anti Snatching Cell alone accounted for 1,236 devices, while police station teams traced the remaining 1,164. A significant surge was recorded in the second quarter: 1,790 phones were recovered between 1 April and 30 June 2026 alone, suggesting an acceleration in operational tempo as the year progressed.

How Operation Vishwas Works

Operation Vishwas is a structured initiative focused exclusively on tracing lost, stolen, or misplaced mobile phones through a combination of technical analysis, digital tracking platforms, and coordinated ground investigations. The operation does not rely on a single tool — it layers surveillance with field verification and continuous follow-up, enabling faster turnaround from complaint to recovery.

Following recoveries, police station-level Mobile Phone Handover Programmes were organised across the South-West District, through which nearly 1,900 phones were formally returned to their rightful owners. Residents who received their devices reportedly expressed relief and appreciation for the police's efforts.

Why the Initiative Matters

Mobile phone theft and snatching remain among the most frequently reported crimes in New Delhi, often disproportionately affecting daily-wage workers and students for whom a smartphone represents a significant financial asset. By deploying modern tracking tools at scale, Delhi Police is attempting to shift public perception — from an institution that files FIRs to one that actually resolves complaints.

Notably, the initiative is also a transparency exercise: by conducting public handover events at the police station level, the force makes the recovery process visible rather than administrative. This comes amid broader national conversations about police accountability and citizen-service delivery.

What Comes Next

Officials confirmed that recovery efforts are ongoing, with more missing phones still being traced. Delhi Police said Operation Vishwas will continue to prioritise public confidence alongside prompt service delivery for residents of the national capital. The South-West District's Anti Snatching Cell is expected to remain the operational anchor of the initiative going forward.