Bengaluru, Mar 31: A well-organised inter-state theft racket involving minors from Jharkhand has been busted following a series of mobile phone thefts during the IPL 2026 season opener at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, police said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on March 28 during the high-profile match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad, where dozens of spectators reported missing mobile phones amid the crowd.
According to police, the accused include 11 minor boys aged between 14 and 17, along with an adult coordinator, all hailing from Jharkhand. The group had allegedly travelled to Bengaluru with the specific intent of targeting spectators during IPL matches.
Investigations revealed that the gang executed a carefully planned operation, blending in with the crowd by wearing team jerseys and carrying valid tickets or passes. They reportedly stayed in local hotels to avoid suspicion and entered the stadium posing as regular fans.
“The minors came to Bengaluru specifically to steal mobile phones,” a police official said, adding that the operation bore the hallmarks of an organised syndicate.
The gang primarily targeted high-traffic moments, such as innings breaks and when spectators moved out of their seats for refreshments. By the time victims returned, their phones had already been stolen and the accused had shifted positions within the stadium.
Nearly 30 official complaints have been registered so far at the Cubbon Park Police Station, though social media accounts suggest the number of stolen devices could exceed 50. Police have recovered 21 high-end mobile phones, with the total value of stolen devices estimated at around ₹18 lakh.
The case came into wider public focus after content creator Ritu Tiwari shared a viral video describing the ordeal. “My husband realised his phone was missing… many people around us were saying their phones were gone too,” she said, claiming that “roughly 50 to 60 phones were stolen from that single stand in a short time.”
Another spectator said, “It happened around 9.30–10 pm… when I came back, my phone was gone. Around me, several others were reporting the same.”
Police said the adult coordinator has been arrested and the minors taken into custody, while further investigations are underway to identify other members of the network. Authorities suspect the involvement of a larger syndicate that targets major public gatherings across the country, with possible links to a similar incident reported in Chennai.
Officials also acknowledged concerns raised by victims over delayed initial response and long queues at police stations to file complaints.
“This appears to be part of a larger syndicate targeting major public gatherings,” a senior officer said.
The incident has raised serious questions over crowd security and policing arrangements at large sporting events, even as authorities have urged spectators to remain vigilant and secure their belongings during matches.
