National News 2025-07-29

CRIME BRANCH BUSTS MAJOR COUNTERFEIT AUTOMOBILE PARTS RACKET OPERATING IN KAROL BAGH

Mahesh Chandra - Delhi

MASSIVE CRACKDOWN ON COUNTERFEIT AUTOMOBILE PARTS OF REPUTED INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
SIMULTANEOUS RAIDS CONDUCTED ON FOUR PREMISES AT KAROL BAGH, DELHI
TOTAL MARKET VALUE OF RECOVERED ARTICLES STANDS at Rs. 50 LACS
11 PERSONS APPREHENDED AND ACCUMULATED CASH AMOUNT OF RS. 19 LACS ALSO RECOVERD.

The ISC Unit of the Crime Branch conducted a major crackdown on a counterfeit automobile spare parts racket. During the operation, a large quantity of fake spare parts was seized, all bearing the names and packaging of three leading automobile companies. The seizure highlights the scale of the illegal operation and the threat it poses to both consumer safety and the reputation of established brands.

INCIDENT

Acting on reliable inputs regarding the storage and distribution of fake automobile parts of reputed international brands, simultaneous raids were carried out on 26.07.2025 at four premises in Karol Bagh, New Delhi. The action resulted in the apprehension of 11 individuals, recovery of duplicate auto parts worth ?50 lakhs, and seizure of ?19 lakhs in cash.

TEAM & OPERATION

As the storage, supply and sale of counterfeit automobile parts and packaging materials were spread at different locations of Karol Bagh area, accordingly multiple teams comprising of SI Ashish Sharma, SI Gulab Singh, ASI Jafruddin, HC Ramkesh & HC Surender, SI Ankit, ASI Shailender Singh, ASI Tarun, ASI Satyaveer & HC Naveen Kumar, SI Sanjay, HC Mahender, HC Brijesh & HC Surender, Insp. Mahipal, SI Rakesh, ASI Rakesh, HC Lalit & HC Varun Kumar, SI Gaurav, HC Rajender, HC Karmbir, HC Vinod & Ct. Dhram Singh led by Insp. Satendra Mohan & Insp. Kamal Kumar under supervision of Sh. Ramesh Lamba, ACP/ ISC, Crime Branch were constituted.

Each team was assigned the task to raid one of the main locations from where counterfeit activities were being carried out. The operation was meticulously planned and executed to ensure coordination, avoid tip-offs, and maximize the seizure of illegal material and apprehension of key suspects.

LOCATIONS RAIDED AND RECOVERIES

1. Property No. 990, Shivaji Street, Gali No. 1, Nai Walan, Karol Bagh:

Three individuals, Dheeraj Singh, Amit Singh, and Dipankar Nagpal (alias Vicky Nagpal), were found at the premises. A large stock of counterfeit chain sets, brake shoes, shockers, and packaging materials of reputed brands was recovered.

2. Property No. T-2538, Ground Floor, Guru Nanak Market, Nai Walan, Karol Bagh:

Three individuals, Harsh Kumar, Rinku, and Ravinder were apprehended. A significant quantity of counterfeit spark plugs was seized along with cash amounting to ? 8,68,500.

3. Property No. T-2449, Subhash Mohalla, Nai Walan, Karol Bagh:

Three individuals, Raghvender Singh, Sachin Singh, and Vinod Ahuja were found at the location. Large quantities of counterfeit packaging material of various brands were recovered, along with ?7 lakhs in cash.

4. Property No. 18/12, Basement, Pusha Lane, Karol Bagh:

Two individuals, Ashish Malhotra @ Ashu and Alok Pruthi @ Monty were apprehended. This premise was being used to store and distribute counterfeit packaging material. A substantial stock of packaging items was seized along with ? 4,07,900 in cash.

Total 11 persons were apprehended from four different locations. A case has been registered vide FIR No. 188/25 dated 27.07.25 PS Crime Branch invoking sections 63/65 of the Copyright Act.

MODUS OPERANDI

These persons procured low-quality, counterfeit auto parts from local and regional manufacturers at a fraction of the cost of genuine parts. These parts were functionally similar but lacked the durability and safety standards of genuine products. Using forged labels, holograms, logos, and packaging materials, the group rebranded the fake products to resemble those of reputed automobile companies. The packaging was often nearly identical to the original, making it difficult for the average buyer or mechanic to spot the difference. Printing machines, branding stamps, and packing materials were seized during the raid. The counterfeit products were sold to local auto part dealers, wholesalers, and repair shops in and around Delhi at slightly discounted prices, maximizing profit margins. Some parts were falsely marketed as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) surplus or “export rejects” to mislead buyers. Most of the transactions were done in cash and fake invoices were generated to avoid detection. In some cases, the group also used online marketplaces and classified ads to reach a broader customer base, falsely advertising the parts as original.

The accused individuals are not only inflicting substantial financial losses on reputed automotive companies by selling counterfeit products but are also putting the lives of consumers at serious risk. They are distributing fake brake shoes and brake pads— critical safety components in any vehicle—by imitating the original packaging to deceive unsuspecting buyers. This malicious act, driven purely by profit, disregards the potentially fatal consequences of using substandard parts. Customers, trusting the appearance of genuine branding, may unknowingly install these defective components. Such actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for public safety and ethics. Their conduct highlights the urgent need for strict enforcement against counterfeiters in the automotive industry.

RECOVERY

• Duplicate spare parts approx. 01 lacs: Brake pads, filters, spark plugs, clutch plates, etc.

• 200 bottles of Counterfeit branded engine/Mobil oils

• Forged packaging, stickers, holograms, and printing machines

• ?19,00,000 in cash

• Market value of recovered items: ?50,00,000 (approx.)

PROFILE & INTERROGATION

1. Dheeraj Singh, (Age 38 years) r/o Uttam Nagar, Delhi: He is a Commerce graduate who has previously worked in an auto parts shop and is well-versed in supply chain and inventory control. He is the kingpin and the key logistic handler and engaged in this trade since last 4 years.

2. Amit Singh, (Age 34 years) r/o Greater Noida, U.P.: He is a school drop out and an accomplice of Dheeraj Singh. His main work was to look after the accounts and manage supply chain of counterfeit materials.

3. Dipankar Nagpal @ Vicky, (Age 42 years) r/o Palam Vihar, Gurugram, HR: He owns a small packaging supply business. He provided counterfeit labels, holograms, and stickers. He played a crucial role in branding the duplicate items to resemble genuine products.

4. Harsh Kumar, (Age 36 years) r/o Kishanganj, Delhi: He is a 12th pass and formerly employed with a motor parts distributor. He used his industry experience to camouflage fake spark plugs as genuine parts and works with Rinku to supply fake auto parts at good margin.

5. Rinku, (Age 30 years) r/o Karol Bagh, Delhi: He is a school dropout and a partner of Harsh. He is actively involved in repackaging and physical movements of goods.

6. Ravinder, (Age: 39 years) r/o Karol Bagh, Delhi: He is also working in close tandem with Harsh and Rinku. He handles cash transactions and untraceable UPI accounts. He is believed to manage fake billing and cash concealment techniques.

7. Raghvender Singh, (Age 45 years) r/o Noida, U.P.: He is a close associate of Sachin and Vinod. He is believed to have strong connections with counterfeit manufacturers. He has a previous case under IPR violation (pending trial).

8. Sachin Singh, (Age 41 years) r/o Noida, U.P.: He is the brother of Raghvender and has previously worked in an auto parts transport firm. He managed inward stock of counterfeit materials and developed supplier links in NCR region. He has a past involvement in a forgery-related case.

9. Vinod Ahuja, (Age 44 years) r/o Faridabad, Haryana: He is a graduate in arts and looked after storage and sorting of fake packaging material. He has installed printing machines for labelling and printing monograms, labels and stickers of different companies.

10. Ashish Malhotra @ Ashu, (Age 40 years) r/o Pashchim Vihar, Delhi: He is a cousin of Alok @ Monty. He is an expert in fake branding, hologram alignment, and finishing. He provided technical guidance in producing counterfeit packaging.

11. Alok Pruthi @ Monty, (Age 37 years) r/o Pashchim Vihar, Delhi: He has installed printing machines for preparing forged labels and stickers of different brands.

Further investigation is being carried out.

Mahesh Chandra - Delhi

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Date: 30-07-2025