Shah Rukh Khan b'day theft cases' count rises to 98

Sources said that more than 100 phones have been reported missing.

Mumbai: The fans that thronged Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's bungalow in Bandra on Thursday to ring in his 52nd birthday may have dispersed, but the local police are still reeling from the impact of the occasion.

On Friday, the police registered 68 more cases pertaining to wallet and mobile thefts of fans, who had gathered outside Mannat, the star's residence. Around 30 cases had been, registered on Thursday, bringing the total number up to 98 cases, the highest number of thefts for this year.

Police sources said that more than 100 phones have been reported missing, but only 98 victims chose to register a case. Out of the 68 new cases registered, 24 of the complainants hail from different cities, and had come to Mumbai especially to wish their favourite superstar.

Speaking to The Asian Age, Pandit Thackeray, senior police inspector of Bandra police station said, "The number has reached around a hundred, more than what was reported in the past five years. It usually ranges below 60. We are yet to identify and catch the culprits, but informers have been alerted to keep an eye on suspicious
activity.

Another officer told this paper on the condition of anonymity that they had been trying their best to keep the situation in control. They had to multi-task as they were trying to control the traffic as well as manage the crowd.

The actor ushered in his birthday on Thursday at his Alibaug farmhouse. However, ignorant of this fact, Khan's fans had been waiting patiently outside his residence Mannat' since late Wednesday night.

However, awareness about the thefts dawned on the crowds shortly after a black sedan had entered Mannat's premises. Fans rushed to the gate to catch a glimpse of the star. But as soon as it was established that it was a false alarm, people started shouting that their phones and wallets were missing.