Delhi Court Grants Bail to Co-Conspirator in Fake ED Raid Case Citing Completed Investigation and Prolonged Custody

INTRODUCTION
A Delhi Court has granted bail to an accused woman, Pooja Rajput, allegedly involved in a high-profile criminal conspiracy where individuals posing as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials targeted and extorted an elderly couple. The order was passed by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Vinod Joshi at the Saket Courts (South-East District) on June 11, 2026, noting that the police investigation against the accused stands completed and a chargesheet has already been filed.

CASE BACKGROUND AND PROSECUTION ALLEGATIONS
The matter arises from an incident in February 2026, where three unidentified men impersonating federal investigators forced entry into the New Friends Colony residence of 86-year-old R.C. Sabharwal, a retired senior architect. The intruders allegedly intimidated the elderly occupants, confiscated their mobile phones, and compelled the family to gather their cash and valuable jewellery on a table under the pretext of an official ED search operation.

Following a police probe, local authorities arrested the family’s domestic help, Rekha Devi, and subsequently her sister-in-law, Pooja Rajput. The prosecution categorized the incident as a deeply coordinated inside job, asserting that Rajput was an active participant in the criminal conspiracy to defraud the senior citizens. According to police reports, incriminating evidence, including a police uniform and counterfeit identity cards belonging to a prime co-accused, Prakash, was recovered from Rajput's residence.

ARGUMENTS BEFORE THE COURT
Appearing for the accused, the defense counsel argued that Rajput was not the main perpetrator of the execution of the fake raid, nor had any direct monetary or jewelry recoveries been made from her possession. The defense further emphasized that the accused had already endured a lengthy period in judicial custody and posed no flight risk, expressing complete willingness to abide by any strict conditions imposed by the court.

Conversely, the Additional Public Prosecutor strongly opposed the bail application on behalf of the State. The prosecution highlighted the severe nature of the offense, which involved impersonating central agency officials to target vulnerable senior citizens. It was further argued that releasing the accused prematurely could hamper ongoing efforts to apprehend two remaining suspects who are currently evading arrest.

COURT’S OBSERVATIONS AND RULING
In balancing the right to personal liberty with the gravity of the offense, ACJM Vinod Joshi observed that keeping the accused incarcerated indefinitely served no judicial or fruitful purpose, given that the investigation against her was concluded. The court took cognizance of the fact that this was the first bail application moved after the formal submission of the chargesheet.

Furthermore, the Bench noted that the physical evidence recovered from Rajput’s residence primordially belonged to the co-accused, Prakash, who was already in custody. Consequently, the court admitted Pooja Rajput to bail upon furnishing a personal bail bond of ₹25,000 with two sureties of the matching amount.

Discription: The prosecution alleged that Rajput participated in a criminal conspiracy involving a fake Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at the New Friends Colony residence of an 86-year-old retired architect. Impersonators allegedly intimidated the family and extorted cash and jewellery. Rajput, the sister-in-law of the family’s domestic help, was arrested after police recovered counterfeit uniforms and ID cards belonging to a co-accused from her premises.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vinod Joshi granted bail on a ₹25,000 bond, noting that the investigation is complete, the chargesheet is filed, and prolonged custody serves no further purpose.