Mobiles worth 20 lakhs stolen every month at Vrindavan temples

2023.05.10 (Vrindavan Today News): Mobile theft in the busy temples is becoming a major problem in Vrindavan. Every day, around six cases of mobile and purse theft are being reported, leading to an average of 200 mobiles being stolen every month. The Banke Bihari Temple, Nidhivan, ISKCON Temple, Prem Mandir, and Radhavallabh Temple, along with the roads leading to these temples, are the most affected.

On weekends and during special festivals, there is a notable increase in the number of theft incidents, with figures rising from six to twelve. This surge in theft cases put considerable strain on the police force, making it challenging for them to manage.

If the cost of a mobile phone is assumed to be at least Rs 10,000, then mobiles worth Rs 20 lakh are stolen every month, which amounts to mobiles worth about 2.5 crore being stolen in a year.

FIRs of the influential people are registered, whereas the ordinary victims are sent back after taking the complaint letters only. The primary concern for individuals when it comes to mobile phone theft is the potential misuse of their personal information. Losing a mobile device can result in the exposure of sensitive personal data, including contacts, messages, and private media files, leaving victims vulnerable to identity theft, fraud, and other forms of cybercrime.

Banke Bihari temple management cautions devotees to be careful while carrying mobiles, purses, and jewelry inside the temple. However, the devotees do not comply. But they are also helpless as there is no locker facility near Banke Bihari Temple where people can keep their belongings. Thus, they are left with no option but to carry it with them.

If the temples implement queue arrangements for darshan, then the incidents of mobile and purse theft may decrease. There is a suspicion of outsider involvement in pickpocketing, rather than locals.

Recently, mobiles worth about Rs 20 lakh were recovered, and three more mobile thieves were caught. The police are urging people to take necessary precautions and report any theft to the authorities to help curb this growing problem.

Shri Vijay Kumar Singh, the Station House Officer of Vrindavan of Mathura police informed that, a recent recovery of stolen mobile phones are worth about Rs 20 lakh that has led to the arrest of three more mobile phone thieves.