Use Sanchar Saathi CEIR for lost or stolen mobiles

The earlier Nagpur Police stolen/mobile enquiry links are no longer the preferred route. Nagpur City Police now directs users to the Government of India's Sanchar Saathi / Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) service for blocking and unblocking lost or stolen mobile handsets.

Official services:
Nagpur City Police
Sanchar Saathi CEIR

CEIR works by blocking the handset's IMEI across participating mobile networks. A blocked handset cannot normally be used on Indian cellular networks even if the SIM card is changed. Blocking the IMEI does not prevent police from tracing the device.

Steps to block a stolen or missing mobile

Report the loss or theft to police.

File a police complaint, Lost Report or FIR as applicable and keep a copy. The report should contain the mobile details and IMEI number wherever possible.

Obtain a duplicate SIM for the lost number.

Get a replacement SIM from your telecom operator because CEIR sends OTP verification to the mobile number associated with the lost handset.

Keep the required documents ready.

Police complaint / FIR / Lost Report
Identity proof
Mobile number used in the lost phone
15-digit IMEI number for each SIM slot
Purchase invoice, where available

Open the CEIR blocking form.

Enter the device, lost-location and police-complaint details, upload the required documents and complete OTP verification.

Block Lost / Stolen Mobile

Save the Request ID.

After successful submission, CEIR generates a Request ID. Keep it safely because it is used to check status and later to request unblocking if the phone is recovered.

Check CEIR request or complaint status

You can check a lost/stolen mobile request using the CEIR Request ID or, in supported cases, a police complaint number.

Check Request Status Recover Forgotten Request ID

If the mobile is recovered

If your handset is found after its IMEI was blocked, first inform the local police that the device has been recovered. You can then request unblocking through CEIR. If the original blocking request was submitted through State Police, CEIR advises approaching the State Police for the corresponding unblocking request.

Unblock Recovered Mobile

How to find or verify the IMEI number

The IMEI is normally printed on the phone box and purchase invoice. If the phone is still accessible, dial *#06# to display the IMEI. Dual-SIM devices generally have a separate IMEI for each SIM slot.

Sanchar Saathi also provides an IMEI verification service to check whether a handset identifier is valid, duplicate, blacklisted or already in use.

Verify Mobile / IMEI

Current legal position

For criminal complaints and FIR procedure, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for the new criminal-law regime from 1 July 2024. Information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence is governed by Section 173 BNSS.

Important: Blocking an IMEI through CEIR is a telecom-security measure. It does not by itself replace a police complaint or FIR where the facts disclose theft or another cognizable offence.

Important safety steps after losing a phone

Immediately contact your telecom provider and obtain a replacement SIM.
Change passwords for email, banking, UPI, social media and other sensitive accounts.
Inform your bank or payment provider if financial apps were accessible on the device.
Keep the police complaint, CEIR Request ID and IMEI details safely.
Do not pay unknown persons who claim they can privately "trace" the handset.

Disclaimer

This page is for general information and guidance. Government portals, forms and procedures may change. Confirm the latest requirements on the official Nagpur City Police and Sanchar Saathi CEIR websites before submitting an application or complaint.