The Special Task Force of the Crime Branch, Mumbai Railway Police Commissionerate, has busted a mobile theft racket, arrested a notorious phone thief and recovered 49 stolen handsets worth Rs 20.89 lakh. The arrest exposed a gang systematically targeting commuters during crowded train journeys and large public events across India.

Acting on a tip-off during the investigation, the Railway Police laid a trap on July 2, 2025. The suspect, identified as Shyam Ramakant Baranwal (34), was apprehended near the Byculla Railway premises while attempting to dispose of stolen mobile phones. A search of his possessions led to the seizure of 49 smartphones of various brands, including Apple, OnePlus, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, Realme, Redmi, and more—collectively valued at Rs 20,89,914.

According to police sources, the case came to light after 19-year-old Sujit Sagun Kamble, a resident of Ulhasnagar, filed a complaint on January 25, 2025. Kamble was travelling in the general compartment of the UP Gorakhpur Express when, around 3:15 PM between Ambivali and Shahad railway stations, his phone was stolen amid the jostling crowd. He alleged it was a deliberate act by an unknown individual. Based on his complaint, the Kalyan Railway Police registered a case under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).