Delhi Police have arrested two women, including a domestic help, for allegedly masterminding a fake Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at the residence of an 86-year-old retired architect in New Friends Colony, where three men posing as ED officers looted cash, jewellery, and luxury watches worth several lakh rupees.

The incident occurred on February 11, when three individuals dressed in police uniforms forcibly entered the home of RC Sabharwal, claiming to conduct an official ED search for illegal cash and assets. Speaking fluent English, they intimidated the family, confiscated mobile phones to prevent calls for help, and began collecting valuables. They fled with approximately Rs 3-4 lakh in cash, seven expensive luxury watches, and some jewellery after Sabharwal's grandson confronted them, disrupting the operation. The case, registered on February 24 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, drew comparisons to the Bollywood film Special 26 due to the impersonation tactic.

The breakthrough came through meticulous police investigation led by the South-East district team. Officers scanned over 300-350 CCTV cameras from public and private sources, tracing the suspects' route from New Friends Colony through areas like Sarai Kale Khan and across the Ghazipur border into Uttar Pradesh. The getaway vehicle—a Baleno car—was identified and located parked in Sector 4, Vaishali, Ghaziabad. Technical surveillance, including mobile tower dump data and IMEI tracking of numbers active at both the crime scene and the parking spot, pinpointed key suspects.

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On February 25, police raided a residence in Vaishali linked to the accused, recovering crucial evidence: a full Deputy Commandant-rank ITBP uniform, a fake identity card, a wireless set box, a pistol with an expired licence, and the stolen items—including the seven luxury watches and jewellery—directly connecting the occupants to the crime. The arrested women include the victim's housemaid, Rekha Devi (or similar name variations in reports), who allegedly orchestrated the plot as an insider, and her sister-in-law Pooja Rajput. Three male accomplices, including one reportedly linked to ITBP or retired army background, remain absconding, with manhunt efforts ongoing.

This case highlights the growing trend of criminals impersonating central agency officials like ED to target elderly or affluent households, exploiting trust in law enforcement. Police emphasized the role of CCTV networks and digital forensics in cracking such sophisticated inside jobs quickly. Authorities have urged residents to verify credentials of any officials visiting homes and report suspicious activities promptly to prevent similar incidents. The probe continues to trace the full network and recover any additional proceeds of the crime.

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