Iha Abapti, a lecturer at a private university, fell victim to a phone theft while her car was trapped in traffic near Sony Cinema Hall in Mirpur at the end of January. Despite her father, Anwar Parvez, filing a case with Mirpur model police station, almost three months have elapsed with no recovery of the mobile phone.

Anwar estimated the phone's value at around Tk50,000, but emphasized the irreplaceable personal and professional data stored on it. He expressed frustration at the lack of updates from the police regarding their progress.

Iha echoed the sentiment, underlining the vital role mobile phones play in modern life. Beyond communication devices, they serve as essential tools for various tasks, from business management to data storage. Despite their significance, victims of phone theft often feel neglected by law enforcement, overshadowed by more pressing matters.

Police Data Official statistics reveal a concerning number of reported lost or stolen phones nationwide in January, with only a fraction recovered.

According to police headquarters data, 29,553 general diaries and 18 cases were filed over lost mobile phones nationwide in January, totaling 29,711 lost phones. However, only 6,056 phones were recovered during the same period.

Bureaucratic Hurdles Many cases involve mugging or snatching incidents on the road. Victims, discouraged by bureaucratic obstacles, often hesitate to file cases directly. Police sometimes suggest filing complaints instead of cases, further complicating matters. Additionally, reluctance to file general diaries leaves many phones unrecovered, as there is no obligation to recover lost items with diaries as opposed to cases.

During a crime review meeting at police headquarters, Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) Md Atiqul Islam highlighted the need for special attention to mobile phone recovery, instructing officials to analyze filed general diaries and cases to identify areas where stolen phones are sold.

Challenges in Recovery Law enforcement faces challenges in recovering stolen phones due to advanced techniques employed by thieves. Disassembling expensive phones for parts reduces the chances of recovery. Some thieves sell stolen phones in neighbouring countries, complicating recovery efforts.

DMP Additional Deputy Police Commissioner Azharul Islam Mukul likened the time required to recover a phone to that needed for solving a murder case, emphasizing the lower priority given to phone theft cases amidst pressure to resolve major crimes. However, he noted that active phones have a higher chance of recovery if a general diary or case is filed.