Fake Branded Garments Racket Busted at Delhi Exhibition Sale, One Arrested

The Delhi Police has busted a well-organised racket involved in selling counterfeit branded garments and accessories under the guise of a discount exhibition in Vasant Kunj, officials said on Tuesday. One person has been arrested, while the alleged mastermind remains absconding.

The operation was carried out on May 3 following a complaint by Brand Protectors India Pvt Ltd, which flagged the sale of fake branded goods at a hotel venue. Acting on the tip-off, police raided the premises and found a large-scale exhibition displaying apparel and accessories falsely marketed as genuine products of leading brands.

According to officials, the accused had set up a temporary “sale” offering heavy discounts to attract customers. Items bearing labels of popular brands such as Peter England, Allen Solly, Mufti, Van Heusen, Jack & Jones, Calvin Klein and Zara were being sold, among others. Customers were allegedly misled into believing the products were original, with some being told they were “export surplus” stock.

To lend authenticity to the operation, the organisers issued printed bills and accepted digital payments through swipe machines and QR codes. However, brand representatives later confirmed that several items being sold were counterfeit.

Police seized a large quantity of fake goods during the raid, including over 1,000 lowers labelled as Allen Solly, hundreds of T-shirts, women’s handbags branded as Michael Kors, as well as footwear and garments of multiple premium labels. Luxury watches purportedly from brands like Michael Kors, Armani Exchange and Omega were also recovered. In addition, ₹2.87 lakh in cash, payment devices, and billing materials were confiscated.

The arrested accused, identified as Iqbal (51), a resident of Nuh in Haryana, was allegedly managing the exhibition. During interrogation, he revealed that he was acting under the directions of Farukh Ahmad, who is suspected to be the mastermind behind the operation and is currently on the run.

Investigators believe the racket operated by organising similar exhibition sales across various cities, using hotels and convention centres as temporary venues to offload high-quality counterfeit or “first-copy” products while presenting them as genuine branded merchandise.

A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Copyright Act at the Crime Branch police station. The accused has been remanded to police custody, and efforts are underway to trace Ahmad and dismantle the wider network involved in the supply of counterfeit goods.