Fake ED Raid Case: Delhi Court Grants Bail To Woman Accused In Conspiracy To Target 86-Year-Old Retired Architect

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Vinod Joshi of the South-East District, Saket Courts, passed the order on June 11 while allowing Rajput's bail application.

The case stems from an incident reported in February this year, when three men allegedly posed as Enforcement Directorate officials and entered the residence of RC Sabharwal, a retired senior architect, in New Friends Colony. According to the prosecution, the accused intimidated members of the household, seized their mobile phones, and directed them to place jewellery and cash on a table during what was presented as an official ED search operation.

Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Pooja Rajput and Rekha Devi, a domestic worker employed at the complainant's residence. Police alleged that Rajput, who is Rekha Devi's sister-in-law, was part of a larger conspiracy to cheat the elderly victim by facilitating the fake raid.

During the investigation, police recovered a police uniform and identity cards allegedly linked to co-accused Prakash from Rajput's residence. The prosecution relied on these recoveries to contend that Rajput was actively involved in the conspiracy.

However, while considering the bail plea, the court took note of the fact that the recovered articles allegedly belonged to co-accused Prakash, who has already been arrested in the case. The court further observed that the investigation concerning Rajput had been completed and the chargesheet had already been filed.

Granting relief, the court recorded: "The chargesheet has been already filed against the accused and this is the first bail application since filing of chargesheet. Hence, no fruitful purpose shall be served by keeping the accused behind bars."

The court also considered the period already spent by Rajput in judicial custody.

Appearing for Rajput, Advocate Gaurav Nautiyal argued that his client was not the principal accused in the case and that no direct recovery had been effected from her. It was further submitted that she had remained in custody for a considerable period and was willing to comply with any conditions imposed by the court.

The State, represented by Additional Public Prosecutor Tarun Srivastava, opposed the bail plea. The prosecution argued that Rajput was an active participant in the conspiracy and highlighted the gravity of the allegations. It was also submitted that two accused persons were still absconding and yet to be traced.

Despite the opposition, the court found that continued incarceration of Rajput was not warranted at this stage of the proceedings, particularly in view of the filing of the chargesheet and completion of investigation against her.

Accordingly, the court directed that Rajput be released on bail upon furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 25,000 along with two sureties of the like amount.

The criminal case concerning the alleged fake ED raid and conspiracy to cheat the elderly complainant will now proceed before the trial court in accordance with law.