Over 1.5 Million SIM Cards Blocked in Bihar
Patna, October 26: More than 1.5 million SIM cards have been blocked in Bihar, as they were being used by individuals other than the registered owners. The state has reported that 1,569,122 consumers, including 670,000 from Patna, have applied to have their SIM cards deactivated after discovering unauthorized usage through the Sanchar Saathi app.
The investigation into cybercrime and fraud cases revealed numerous SIM cards issued in someone else’s name, often without the knowledge of the actual holders. Upon learning of the misuse, these genuine SIM card owners contacted the telecommunications department to have their cards blocked.
A total of 3,306,298 mobile users across the state applied to check the status of their issued SIM cards through the app. Among them, 1,569,000 discovered that their SIM cards were being used by others. The telecommunications department confirmed that these numbers were indeed being misused by different individuals.
Additionally, 733,000 individuals have deactivated extra SIM cards, as regulations permit a maximum of nine SIM cards per person. The telecommunications department identified users with more than nine SIM cards and sent notifications through their respective service providers to encourage them to deactivate the excess cards.
Under current regulations, anyone found using a SIM card fraudulently registered in another person’s name could face fines of up to ₹5 million and imprisonment for up to three years. The telecommunications department has disseminated this information to all service providers to ensure customer awareness.
The following rules apply to SIM card ownership:
A maximum of nine SIM cards can be held under one name.
Biometric verification is mandatory for obtaining a new SIM card.
If a SIM card registered in your name is used in a cybercrime, you may also come under investigation.
Users are advised to deactivate any SIM cards they are not using immediately.
The number of blocked SIM cards over the years is as follows:
2021-22: 620,000
2022-23: 950,000
2023-24: 1.28 million
2024-25: 1.61 million
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
