Delhi: Man arrested for posing as police officer, conducting fake raid at jewellery workshop; steals over 1 kg of gold

NEW DELHI: A 49-year-old man has been arrested for posing as a police officer, along with his associates, and conducting a fake raid at a jewellery-making workshop in Central Delhi’s Karol Bagh, fleeing with over 1 kg of gold. The accused has been identified as Sheikh Akram. On 27 November, police received a complaint from the workshop owner, who reported that five to six unidentified persons entered the premises. One of them was wearing a fake Delhi Police uniform, while four others were in civilian clothes, posing as Income Tax officials. The accused seized the mobile phones of the complainant and his workers, carried out a fraudulent search, and stole approximately 1 kg and 1 gram of gold. Before fleeing, they also removed the CCTV DVR installed at the workshop. A case was registered, and five of the accused were arrested by the local police. However, Akram managed to evade arrest and remained absconding. DCP (Crime) Vikram Singh said that after the arrest of his associates, Akram kept changing locations across South Delhi. He was eventually apprehended by a team led by Inspector Sunil Kumar Kalkhande from CR Park. During interrogation, Akram confessed to his role in the crime. Police recovered 130.162 grams of the stolen gold and the motorcycle used in the offence. Akram moved to Delhi around 16–17 years ago and worked at various jewellery workshops in Karol Bagh. He is currently employed at a jewellery workshop and lives with his family in Madangir. Police said that around two to three years ago, Akram came into contact with the main accused, Parminder, a government servant and the mastermind of the crime. Akram allegedly shared information about jewellery establishments in Karol Bagh, following which Parminder planned the robbery with the help of other associates to make easy money.