Delhi Police Bust 'Special 26' Gang After 1,200-km Chase: Recover Stolen Gold from Fake Police Raid

New Delhi police have arrested five men who orchestrated a sophisticated heist inspired by the Bollywood film "Special 26." The criminals impersonated police and Income Tax officials to steal over one kilogram of gold from a jewelry workshop in Karol Bagh.

The Delhi Police conducted an extensive operation spanning multiple cities over three days, culminating in a remarkable 1,200-kilometer pursuit. The investigation stretched across Delhi, Rohtak, Hisar, Hansi, and various locations throughout Haryana.

On November 27, the gang executed their plan by entering the workshop disguised as law enforcement personnel. One suspect wore a police uniform while his accomplices claimed to be Income Tax officers conducting an official inspection. During the staged raid, they confiscated workers' mobile phones, announced a search operation, disabled surveillance by removing the CCTV DVR, and escaped with approximately 1 kilogram of gold.

Authorities immediately registered a case at Prasad Nagar police station and began analyzing potential escape routes. Investigators reviewed footage from more than 250 CCTV cameras throughout Dev Nagar, Tikona Park, BLK Hospital, Rajendra Place, and Karol Bagh Metro Station. Three vehicles—an Urban Cruiser, a Brezza, and a Swift Dzire—appeared repeatedly on various camera feeds.

The subsequent 72-hour chase began when CCTV recordings captured the Swift Dzire driver alongside the suspect disguised as a Delhi Police officer. After tracing the vehicles' route, officers received intelligence that one suspect, Sandeep, was hiding in Rohtak's Sun City area. A surveillance team was deployed overnight.

By the time officers reached Sun City, Sandeep had relocated. The pursuit extended to Bahadurgarh, where he was finally intercepted after a brief chase. His capture initiated a series of arrests.

During interrogation, Sandeep revealed his associates' identities and hideouts. Analysis of his mobile phone communications provided additional information that helped police track the others. Over the following 48 hours, coordinated raids across Rohtak, Hansi, Hisar, and Delhi resulted in the arrest of the four remaining suspects.

The arrested individuals include Rakesh Sharma alias Kesha (41) from Jind; Shaminder Pal Singh alias Sunny (43), who wore the fake Delhi Police uniform; Sandeep (30), who impersonated an Assistant Sub-Inspector while falsely claiming to be an OSD with the Madhya Pradesh government; Lovepreet Singh alias Kaka (30), who portrayed an Income Tax officer; and Parvinder (42), a government employee identified as the operation's "mastermind."

Three additional suspects—Akram, Suresh alias Jammal, and Naveen alias Kala—remain at large. Authorities continue searching for these individuals.

According to investigators, the plot originated when Parvinder, a government employee, informed Sandeep about the dense jewelry and bullion trade in the Karol Bagh-Dev Nagar area. Sandeep was already masquerading as an OSD in the Public Relations Department of the Madhya Pradesh government, which enhanced his apparent authority.

Parvinder allegedly proposed that the group could "raid" a workshop by impersonating officials, mimicking tactics depicted in "Special 26," the 2013 film about con artists posing as CBI and tax officers. The scheme gained momentum, and Rakesh was assigned to assemble a team capable of executing the plan.

Following the robbery, the gold was divided among the criminals. Parvinder allegedly took 500 grams, while Sandeep retained 500 grams, of which 428 grams were sold. He reportedly provided Rs 25.5 lakh to Rakesh for distribution among the team. The remaining proceeds were reportedly used by Sandeep to settle personal debts.

During the raids, officers recovered 435.03 grams of stolen gold, Rs 3.97 lakh in cash, three vehicles used in the operation, five fake Delhi Police ID card holders, and clothing worn during the staged raid.