Chandigarh: The Chandigarh administration has stopped a proposed ‘iPhone langar’ scheduled for September 22, during which businessman Rakesh Trehan, also known as ‘Raja D King’, had announced plans to distribute free iPhones to women in Chandigarh and Mohali.
Officials said such an event could attract a large crowd, creating difficulties in crowd management and potentially leading to a stampede-like situation.
Chandigarh Police said no formal permission had been sought from either the police or the administration to hold the event. After learning about the proposed gathering through social media and other sources, officials said the organiser was being informed in writing that the event could not be held.
Police also said that organising such a public gathering without permission could violate restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav directed the police to prevent the proposed event on September 22. He said permission could not be granted for a gathering that could suddenly draw a large number of people and create a serious safety risk.
Yadav also suggested that instead of distributing expensive mobile phones, resources could be used to support old-age homes, orphanages or other welfare activities.
iPhones were to be distributed through a lucky draw
Trehan had announced on social media that women in Chandigarh and Mohali would receive iPhone 17 and higher models on September 22. His initial announcement indicated that he would personally be present to distribute the phones.
He later changed the proposed format, saying the iPhones would instead be distributed through a lucky draw in front of the media, with winners receiving the phones at their homes.
According to reports, Trehan had announced free iPhones for women aged above 18 from Chandigarh and Mohali. He also said he had placed orders for around 1,000 iPhones, with plans to distribute 10 phones on the first day.
The administration, however, maintained that even with the change in format, the announcement could attract a large crowd and make it difficult to maintain public safety.
Trehan had earlier announced ‘petrol langar’
Trehan had previously made headlines after announcing a ‘petrol langar’. A large number of people reportedly turned up for that event, while rain also created difficulties with the arrangements. The programme was subsequently cancelled.
The administration has cited the experience of the earlier event as one of the reasons for its concerns over the proposed iPhone distribution programme
