If you are tempted by the cheap mobile phones being sold near Anand Vihar ISBT, you need to be very careful. Reports confirm that vendors are selling old phones on the footpaths without any proper bill or paperwork. These phones are often suspected to be stolen or snatched property. The Delhi Police and legal experts warn that buying these devices can make a common man a part of a criminal investigation, leading to severe legal trouble.
Why are these cheap phones dangerous?
Recent updates from February 2026 show that these illegal markets are active near the foot-over bridge stairs and close to the Patparganj Industrial Area police station. Sellers offer keypad mobiles for just Rs 150 to Rs 300 and branded smartphones for Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. Since these vendors do not provide a bill, there is no proof of purchase.
If the phone was previously used in a cybercrime or robbery, the police track the IMEI number and reach the current user. Without a bill, you cannot prove that you bought it legally, and the authorities consider the person holding the phone as the primary suspect.
What does the law say about buying stolen property?
The legal consequences are strict under the new laws. According to Section 317 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), receiving or retaining stolen property is a punishable offense. The rules and risks are clear:
- Jail Term: A person found with stolen property can face imprisonment of up to 3 years or a heavy fine.
- Police Action: Under ‘Mission Reconnect’, Delhi Police recently recovered 580 phones, identifying Anand Vihar as a hotspot for disposing of snatched mobiles.
- Verification: Experts advise checking the CEIR portal before buying used phones to ensure they are not blacklisted.
