A thief allegedly stole an iPhone from a Dehradun home, only to contact the victim later and ask for the password needed to unlock the device.
The incident was reported from Sunshine Enclave in Clement Town, where an iPhone belonging to Saksham Negi was stolen on September 12. His sister, Kaushiki Dhyani, has now shared screenshots of messages sent by the person allegedly holding the phone and questioned the police response to the case.
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According to Dhyani, the phone was stolen along with other valuables from the area. She claimed that several mobile phones, laptops and MacBooks worth lakhs of rupees were also stolen from residents, while nearby paying guest accommodations and hostels were allegedly targeted.
Thief Contacts Family For iPhone Password
The case took a bizarre turn when the person allegedly in possession of the stolen iPhone contacted Dhyani. She said a contact number linked to the device remained visible, allowing the person to reach the family.
Dhyani claimed she subsequently received SMS and WhatsApp messages asking for the password of the stolen iPhone, apparently because the person could not unlock the device. She shared screenshots of the conversation with the police and questioned why the messages had not immediately helped investigators trace the suspect.
Dhyani said she approached the police station at around 10 pm after receiving the messages but was allegedly asked to return the following morning.
She later posted a video on Instagram detailing the incident and questioning the delay in police action. She also shared CCTV footage and a photograph of the suspected person.
CCTV Footage Raises More Questions
Dhyani alleged that CCTV footage from areas near DIT University and Graphic Era University showed a person who appeared to be the same suspect. She urged the police to examine footage from other theft cases in the area to determine whether the incidents were connected.
She claimed the September 12 incident was not an isolated theft and that several residents had reported losing phones, laptops and other valuables. She also alleged that around 16 more thefts were reported in the area after the initial incident.
According to her, CCTV footage from the locality could help investigators establish whether the same people were involved in multiple thefts.
Woman Questions Police Response
Dhyani has also questioned the way the theft complaint was handled. She alleged that complaints from some residents were not taken seriously and, in certain cases, were not even accepted.
She further alleged that the suspected thieves no longer fear police action.
"The thieves no longer fear the police, knowing that the Uttarakhand Police cannot harm them or catch them," she claimed.
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However, police have disputed the suggestion that the matter was ignored. Dehradun SP (City) Shekhar Suyal said, "It was not the case that the police had failed to take cognisance of the issue," and said the Circle Officer was investigating the matter.
The Circle Officer has also said that the phone theft complaint was taken into account, with a surveillance team working to trace the device. Police are examining CCTV footage and technical evidence to identify the person allegedly in possession of the phone.
The investigation will establish whether the stolen iPhone can be traced through the messages and whether the suspected person is connected to other thefts reported in Clement Town.