Mobile phone theft cases recorded as ‘lost’

A growing number of mobile phone theft victims in the capital have alleged that clear cases of theft are being recorded as “lost” in general diaries (GDs), raising concerns over possible weakening of criminal investigations.

In one incident, an unknown young woman allegedly stole three iPhone sets from a residence in Uttara Sector 10 on 7 December last year.

Victim Faruk Arafat said he went to Uttara west police station to file a complaint along with CCTV footage of the incident. However, he alleged that the duty officer recorded a GD stating the phones were “lost”, despite the incident involving theft.

Under Section 379 of the Penal Code, 1860, theft is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, or fine, or both. Section 380 provides for up to seven years’ imprisonment and fine for theft in a dwelling house or premises used for custody of property.

Arafat said he later sought assistance from police officials at various levels, including the Uttara Crime Division and Detective Branch, submitting CCTV footage in an effort to recover the stolen phones. However, he claimed there has been no significant progress so far.

Similar allegations have emerged in other cases reported across the capital.

On 5 December last year, the iPhone of Jahid Sharif, a resident of Uttara Sector 5, was allegedly pickpocketed in Sector 3. He said Uttara west police station also recorded the incident as a “lost” GD instead of registering a theft case.

On 6 January, a smartphone belonging to Adnan Hadi from Khilgaon was stolen near the National Press Club area. Shahbagh police station later recorded a GD describing the phone as “lost”.

On 21 February, an Android phone belonging to former Uttarkhan Thana BNP convener Rafikul Islam Khan was allegedly stolen while he was placing floral wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar. A GD was recorded stating the device was lost.

On 5 May, ANM Muhibuzzaman of Mirpur-13 had his smartphone pickpocketed while travelling on the metro rail near Tejgaon. A missing GD was recorded at Tejgaon Police Station.

Victims say such incidents are not isolated, with mobile phone theft and mugging reported frequently in Dhaka and other parts of the country.

Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Istiak Ahmed said theft is a cognisable offence and police are legally bound to register criminal cases.

“Otherwise, the pattern of crime cannot be controlled,” he said.

Several victims also said GD entries marked as “lost” reduce the chances of investigation and recovery, leaving offenders largely unpunished.

Meanwhile, data from multiple police stations show a high number of mobile-related GDs being filed daily. On Monday, Jatrabari police station recorded 20 GDs related to mobile phones, while Ramna recorded five, Tejgaon six and Mohammadpur 12.

Police officials said most of these GDs were recorded as “lost” complaints.

A duty officer at Jatrabari police station said the station receives around 15–20 mobile-related GDs daily.

Similar figures were cited by duty officers at Ramna and Tejgaon police stations, who said such complaints are routine.

Some sub-inspectors, speaking anonymously, said instructions exist to register GDs for mobile-related complaints, with classification depending on how complainants describe the incident.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson NM Nasiruddin Ahmed said if a mobile phone is stolen or mugged, a case must be filed accordingly, but if it is genuinely lost, it is recorded as a GD.

Police Headquarters spokesperson AHM Shahadat Hossain could not be reached for comment.