Overview
- The Chandigarh administration on Saturday directed police to stop the planned Sept. 22 public draw for free iPhones, saying the event could produce an uncontrolled crowd and risk a stampede.
- Organizer Rakesh Trehan had said winners would be chosen by a public draw from a WhatsApp group of about 1,000 Chandigarh and Mohali residents and that 10 phones would be handed out at the first event.
- Trehan told reporters only iPhone 17 and newer models would be given and that group members must write 'Jai Mata Di' daily to remain eligible, but those conditions and his logistics have not been independently verified.
- Officials pointed to Trehan’s August 'petrol langar', which drew hundreds, prompted police intervention and saw no fuel distributed that day, as a reason for pre‑emptive action now.
- Authorities said they will prevent any unauthorised gatherings at the venue and urged Trehan to use his resources for other social services, while Trehan’s claims of ordering hundreds of phones and plans to expand remain unconfirmed.