Delhi property conman, 67, held after year on run for ₹1.75 crore pension fraud
Synopsis
A 67-year-old property dealer dubbed a 'Natwarlal-style' conman was arrested after nearly a year on the run, accused of draining a retired Tihar Jail pharmacist's entire pension corpus of ₹1.75 crore through forged land documents. The Dwarka AATS tracked him to Sonipat after seven days of surveillance — closing a case that exposed just how systematically senior citizens' retirement savings can be targeted.
Key Takeaways
Brahm Swaroop Bhardwaj , 67, a property dealer, was arrested on 13 September 2025 after nearly a year of absconding.
He allegedly duped a retired government pharmacist of ₹1.75 crore — the victim's pension savings — through forged property documents during 2024–25 .
A reward of ₹50,000 had been declared against him and four other accused on 3 September 2025 .
Bhardwaj was traced to Sonipat, Haryana , following seven days of technical and manual surveillance by AATS Dwarka .
The case is registered as FIR No.
730/25 at Ranhola Police Station ; investigation into other associates is ongoing.
The Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of Dwarka District Police arrested a 67-year-old property dealer, Brahm Swaroop Bhardwaj, on 13 September 2025 after he spent nearly a year evading arrest in a case involving the alleged cheating of a retired senior citizen out of ₹1.75 crore through forged property documents. Bhardwaj, who carried a reward of ₹50,000, was eventually traced to Sonipat, Haryana, following seven days of sustained technical and manual surveillance.
How the Fraud Was Carried Out
According to police, the victim — a retired government pharmacist who had served at Tihar Jail — was allegedly targeted during 2024–25 on the pretext of multiple land purchase and sale transactions. Bhardwaj, along with male and female associates, allegedly fabricated property documents to execute a series of fraudulent transactions, ultimately siphoning the victim's pension savings of approximately ₹1.75 crore.
Police described Bhardwaj as an alleged 'Natwarlal-style' conman — a reference to India's most notorious historical fraudster — who reportedly relied on a network of relatives and associates to lend credibility to the scheme. His alleged modus operandi centred on exploiting senior citizens' trust in property deals, backed by seemingly legitimate but forged documentation.
The Police Operation
A First Information Report (FIR No. 730/25) was registered at Ranhola Police Station. Following his disappearance after the FIR was filed, Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) were secured against Bhardwaj. On 3 September, a reward of ₹50,000 was declared on five wanted accused in the case.
As part of a special drive against absconding and proclaimed criminals, the AATS Dwarka constituted a dedicated team comprising Sub-Inspector Jitender, Head Constables Sonu (No. 1684/DW) and Manoj (No. 1820/DW), and Woman Head Constable Mamta (No. 2813/DW). The operation was led by Inspector Manish Yadav, under the supervision of ACP/Operations Subhash Malik and the overall guidance of DCP Dwarka District Kushal Pal Singh.
The Arrest and What Comes Next
After developing leads through technical inputs and field verification, the team pinpointed Bhardwaj's location in Sonipat and apprehended him on 13 September 2025, ending nearly a year of absconding. He was subsequently produced before a court.
Police confirmed that investigations into the roles of other associates linked to the fraud are ongoing. This case is part of a broader crackdown by Dwarka District Police on absconding and reward-declared criminals across the national capital region.
A Wider Pattern of Pension Fraud Targeting Seniors
The case reflects a growing trend of property fraud targeting retired government servants, whose pension lump sums make them attractive marks for organised con networks. Notably, the use of forged documents in real estate fraud has been flagged repeatedly by Delhi Police in recent years, with senior citizens among the most vulnerable. The alleged involvement of both male and female associates suggests a structured operation, not an opportunistic crime. Further arrests are expected as the probe widens.
Point of View
Not opportunistic crime. Delhi Police's special drive against absconding accused is welcome, but the deeper question is why one of five named accused took nearly a year to locate in a neighbouring district. Faster NBW execution and inter-state coordination remain gaps that organised property fraudsters continue to exploit.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Brahm Swaroop Bhardwaj and what is he accused of?
Brahm Swaroop Bhardwaj is a 67-year-old property dealer from Delhi accused of allegedly cheating a retired senior citizen of ₹1.75 crore through forged property documents. He and his associates allegedly posed as legitimate property sellers and targeted the victim's pension savings across multiple fraudulent transactions during 2024–25.
Who was the victim in the Dwarka property fraud case?
The victim is a retired government servant who worked as a pharmacist at Tihar Jail. He was allegedly targeted because of his pension corpus of approximately ₹1.75 crore, which was siphoned through fake land purchase and sale agreements.
How did Delhi Police locate and arrest Bhardwaj?
The Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of Dwarka District Police conducted seven days of technical and manual surveillance after Bhardwaj was flagged in a special drive against absconding criminals. Leads developed through field verification eventually pointed to Sonipat, Haryana, where he was apprehended on 13 September 2025.
What is the current status of the case?
Bhardwaj has been produced before a court following his arrest. Investigation into the roles of other accused — four of whom also carry a ₹50,000 reward — is ongoing. The FIR is registered as No. 730/25 at Ranhola Police Station.
What does 'Natwarlal-style conman' mean in this context?
Police used the term to compare Bhardwaj's alleged method to that of Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava, alias Natwarlal, India's most notorious historical fraudster known for elaborate document forgery and identity deception. In this case, it refers to Bhardwaj's alleged use of forged property papers and a network of associates to defraud a trusting victim.
