A thief wearing a mask resembling Prime Minister Narendra Modi stole smartphones from a mobile phone shop in Bhilwara, Rajasthan [1, 2].
The incident highlights a bizarre attempt to evade identification using a high-profile political likeness during a retail theft.
Security camera footage captured the unidentified suspect entering the establishment and seizing a large quantity of devices. According to reports, the thief took between 35 and 40 smartphones [2]. The items were removed quickly before the suspect exited the premises.
The total monetary value of the stolen phones is estimated to be between ₹4 lakh and ₹5 lakh [2]. Some reports specify the value at approximately ₹4.5 lakh [1].
Local authorities are reviewing the video evidence to identify the individual. The use of the mask, designed to look like the Indian leader, served as a distinct visual marker in the recording, though it obscured the suspect's actual facial features.
Bhilwara is a city in the state of Rajasthan where the theft occurred [2]. Police said they have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the case.
“A thief wearing a mask resembling Prime Minister Narendra Modi stole smartphones”
The use of a political figure's likeness as a disguise suggests a calculated attempt to confuse witnesses or create a surreal visual distraction during the crime. While the mask obscured the thief's identity, it provided a unique identifier for investigators tracking the suspect's movements across CCTV networks in Rajasthan.
