Airtel — Refusal to block IMEI number by Airtel (stolen mobile)

I am referring to (https://www.ceir.gov.in/Home) website of Dept of telecommunication - Central Equipment Identity Register
(CEIR) - which mentions that telecom service provider is to block the IMEI no when the phone is lost.

My fathers phone (Redmi note 7 pro) was stolen today (22/11/2020) in Bunder area, Mangalore - my father has registered a compliant with police. Now i (on behalf of my father) called airtel immediately to block the IMEI number. But airtel is just refusing to do so - and are not accepting my request to block IMEI no of handset. They are blatantly telling that Airtel has no such powers & I should talk to the phone dealer or the mobile manufacturer. They just kept passing the buck & refused to take responsibility of blocking the phone.

This is in a way encouraging the robber to continue such deed and use stolen phone. Can i expect Airtel to address this and try to do the needful for getting back customer's confidence.

Can I expect resolution???