Diwali Shopping Gone Wrong! French Envoy Loses Phone In Delhi’s Chandni Chowk

Delhi police have apprehended four individuals in connection with the theft of a mobile phone belonging to French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou. The incident took place on October 20 when Mathou and his wife were enjoying a visit to the bustling Chandni Chowk market in preparation for Diwali.

Mathou reported that his mobile phone was stolen from his pocket while they were exploring the market. Following the theft, he promptly filed an e-complaint, indicating that the phone went missing near Jain Mandir. The embassy alerted the authorities the next day, leading to an investigation.

Police officials reviewed CCTV footage from the area and quickly assembled a specialized team to identify the suspects. All four accused, aged between 20 and 25, were apprehended soon after, and the stolen mobile phone was successfully recovered.

“Four persons have been arrested after French Ambassador to India, Dr. Thierry Mathou filed an e-complaint that he lost his mobile phone near Jain Mandir in Chandni Chowk area on 20th October. The mobile phone has been recovered,” stated Delhi police in an official announcement.

The suspects, who are residents of the trans-Yamuna area, are currently in custody as the investigation continues.

In a separate incident, Gurgaon police arrested two individuals connected to an interstate gang involved in the dismantling and theft of expensive remote radio units (RRUs) from mobile phone towers.

The suspects, Mohammad Faizan from Wasepur in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, and Mohammad Kasim from Arvind Nagar, Delhi, are residents of Ghaziabad. They reportedly conducted reconnaissance in the NCR to locate vulnerable mobile towers in secluded areas, striking under the cover of darkness to steal the valuable equipment. Authorities suspect that the stolen RRUs, essential for mobile telecommunications signal transmission, were being smuggled abroad, where they can command a higher price. In India, an RRU can cost up to ₹10 lakh.

With the arrest of these two individuals, police have dismantled an interstate gang involved in the theft of costly remote radio units from mobile phone towers.