Is a General Diary Entry Sufficient for Blocking a Lost Mobile on the CEIR Portal?

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Advocate Rohit
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Is a General Diary Entry Sufficient for Blocking a Lost Mobile on the CEIR Portal?

one of my Client recent had case which i am explaining below and If you are stuck in such similar situation, here is what to do.

Mr. Raghav Verma’s father, Mr. Arvind Verma, misplaced his smartphone while exiting Lotus Metro Station in Greenfield City, Karnataka. Unsure whether the phone was lost or stolen, the Vermas approached Bloomgarden Police Station the same evening. Instead of registering an FIR, the duty officer recorded a General Diary Entry (GDE) mentioning the phone’s make, model, and IMEI number. The family now wishes to block the handset through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) to prevent misuse. They are confused about whether the GDE alone suffices for CEIR registration or they must first insist on a formal FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Advice in such cases

  • Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think
  • Preserve proof of ownership such as the purchase invoice, warranty card, or service records. These documents must match the IMEI you intend to block on CEIR.
  • Apply on the CEIR portal immediately. The portal accepts a copy of the GDE or a formal FIR; either document is considered valid proof of complaint, provided it bears the police station seal and diary number.
  • If the police decline to register an FIR despite reasonable suspicion of theft, submit a written complaint to the Station House Officer (SHO) and obtain an acknowledgment slip as per BNSS Section 154(3). You may escalate to the Superintendent of Police in writing.
  • Enable remote wipe on cloud services (e.g., Google Find My Device or Apple iCloud) to safeguard personal data until the handset is permanently blocked.

Applicable Sections of Law

  • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – Section 303 (Theft)
  • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – Section 316 (Dishonest misappropriation of movable property)
  • Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 – Section 173 (Procedure for investigation after information is received)
  • Telegraph Act, 1885 – Section 24 read with Department of Telecommunications (DoT) guidelines on CEIR

If you are the complainant

  • Insist on noting the IMEI number correctly; an error here will render the CEIR block ineffective.
  • Request a stamped copy of the GDE or FIR; you must upload this on the CEIR portal.
  • Track the complaint on the State Police citizen portal; BNSS mandates periodic status updates to complainants.
  • Follow up every 15 days in writing to create a documented trail, which can become valuable evidence if departmental inquiry is later required.
Is a General Diary Entry Sufficient for Blocking a Lost Mobile on the CEIR Portal?

If you are the victim

  • Change all passwords linked to the lost handset (banking apps, e-mail, UPI).
  • Inform your bank and request UPI de-linking to avoid fraudulent transactions.
  • Activate SIM blocking through customer care and obtain a new SIM with the same number.
  • Maintain a diary of all conversations with service providers and police officials, noting date, time, and the name of the officer spoken to.

How the police behave in such cases

  • Urban police stations often prefer GDE for lost articles unless clear evidence of theft exists; however, if there is any indication of pick-pocketing, an FIR is mandatory.
  • Police may encourage quick CEIR registration since it assists in tracing and reduces misuse complaints.
  • Under BNSS, officers must send electronic updates to complainants when property is recovered or investigation is closed.

FAQs people normally have

  • Q: Can I register on CEIR with only a GDE?
    A: Yes. The portal allows a GDE, FIR, or copy of written complaint duly acknowledged by the police as supporting document.
  • Q: Will CEIR unblock the device if recovered?
    A: You may request unblocking by uploading a recovery report and identity proof; the handset is generally re-whitelisted within 24–48 hours.
  • Q: Does CEIR block my SIM too?
    A: No. CEIR blocks the IMEI. You must separately request SIM block from the telecom operator.
Is a General Diary Entry Sufficient for Blocking a Lost Mobile on the CEIR Portal?

What evidence is required?

  • Stamped GDE or FIR copy mentioning handset details.
  • Proof of ownership: purchase receipt or invoice.
  • Government-issued ID to match portal registration details.
  • Affidavit of loss (optional but recommended if the device carried sensitive corporate data).

How long will the investigation take?

  • BNSS obliges the Investigating Officer to file a Final Report within 90 days for offences punishable up to three years; theft under BNS Section 303 falls in this bracket.
  • Device tracking through CEIR can locate the handset within days if re-inserted with an active SIM; however, physical recovery may still take weeks.
  • Court cognizance must be taken within six months from the date of final report for minor offences; prompt follow-up ensures timely trial if the accused is traced.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India

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