The Delhi Police on Sunday said they have seized a suspicious device,  that looks like a mobile signal jammer, at the Palika market in the New Delhi district.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Mahla said, “During our rounds at the Palika Market, we found a suspicious item that looks like a mobile phone jammers. Verifications regarding the same are still being carried out.”

The police said random searches were being carried out in the national capital in view of the upcoming festive season. Mahla, in an official video message, asked the public to be careful about such suspicious items and asked them to report to the police if they spot such things at any market.

These jammers disrupt mobile signals over a 50-square yard area and as per government regulations, the use of jamming equipment is strictly controlled in the country. “Only authorised entities, including government departments and defence forces, are permitted to use such devices under specific conditions outlined by the Cabinet Secretariat,” a senior police official said.

Meanwhile, the police are investigating the source of these devices and tracking potential buyers, especially given the recent bomb blast near a CRPF school in Rohini's Prashant Vihar and terrorist threat perception. Authorities also suspect a larger network might be involved in importing such jammers to disrupt communications.

The accused, identified as 58-year-old Ravi Shankar Mathur, was found in possession of the Chinese-made jammer, capable of disrupting mobile signals, and subsequently arrested on October 24 after an operation prompted by heightened security concerns was carried out.

The seizure occurred at his shop in Palika Bazar, where police discovered the device along with additional components, including 10 antennas and an electric connector cable. During investigation, the accused could not provide any documentation, such as a bill or licence to justify his possession of the jammer. He claimed to have purchased the device from New Lajpat Rai Market for Rs 25,000, intending to resell it at a higher price.

A seizure memo documented the items recovered, which included a silver-grey jammer device measuring 30x13cm, equipped with 10 antenna jacks compatible with various mobile technologies and a manual detailing the device's functions and installation.

The Department of Telecommunications has been notified to conduct further investigations and take appropriate legal action against Mathur.