While technology enthusiasts across the country often wait overnight outside retail outlets to purchase new flagship smartphones, an unconventional promotional giveaway unfolded in Chandigarh. Amritsar-based entrepreneur Rakesh Trehan, popularly referred to as Raja D King, held an indoor live selection process at his local residence to distribute iPhone 17 handsets free of cost to ten selected women. The private setup became necessary after city authorities declined to permit an open-air public gathering due to safety considerations.
Selection Criteria and the Dedicated Messaging Group
Participation in the giveaway was routed through a specialized WhatsApp group established well in advance. Interested individuals had directly reached out to join the digital circle over preceding weeks. Maintaining an active standing within this forum required members to follow a specific condition of posting daily religious greetings of Jai Mata Di.
Trehan conducted the selection directly in front of attending press representatives by continuously scrolling through the list of group participants. The individual whose profile stopped under the marker on screen was declared a winner. During the scrolling process, several male contacts were surfaced by the screen, but each was promptly disqualified since the distribution was exclusively restricted to female participants until ten successful names were officially finalised.
Expansion Plans Across Multiple Urban Hubs
Addressing the gathering after the draw, Trehan outlined his future ambitions regarding high-value giveaways. He stated that this initiative would not stop with the current event, announcing that similar giveaway operations will be introduced across ten cities in upcoming phases. Expressing his commitment to the campaign, he declared that he intends to distribute a total of 2000 iPhone units going forward.
Administrative Interventions and Crowd Control Concerns
The decision to host the event entirely indoors stemmed from strict warnings issued by the Chandigarh police and local municipal authorities. Officials assessed that publicizing a free distribution of high-end consumer electronics would attract unmanageable throngs, creating a high risk of stampedes and civic disruption.
Law enforcement authorities made it abundantly clear that staging any unauthorized congregation in public spaces would immediately trigger legal action. Consequently, Trehan issued an advance advisory urging citizens not to assemble near his residence and opted to run the draw strictly as a mediated indoor event.
Past Controversies Involving Fuel Vouchers and Cash
Trehan has previously attracted significant public attention through similar large-scale handout drives. In August, he had announced a free motor fuel distribution at a local filling station in Chandigarh, promising vouchers worth 500 rupees for two-wheelers and three-wheelers alongside 1,000 rupees for four-wheelers. Despite severe downpours, a massive crowd arrived at the fuel outlet, compelling organizers to abruptly postpone the gathering. Aside from fuel coupons, he has previously made headlines for handing out direct cash sums in Chandigarh and organizing gold coin distributions in Amritsar.
