Delhi Crime Branch busts fake RO filter factory, seizes 2,932 counterfeit units
Synopsis
Delhi's Crime Branch cracked open a counterfeit RO filter operation hiding in plain sight in Pul Prahladpur — 2,932 fake units bearing Kent, Aquaguard, and Havells branding, two packaging machines, and thousands of counterfeit caps and cartons. The accused had been running the racket for under a year, and investigators are now chasing the wider supply chain.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Crime Branch raided a fake RO filter factory at Pul Prahladpur on 27 May 2026 , seizing 2,932 counterfeit filters .
Seized stock comprised 1,928 Kent , 738 Aquaguard , and 266 Havells filters, confirmed counterfeit by brand representatives.
Police also recovered 1,372 filter caps , 7,300 packaging pieces , and two branding machines .
Tabrej of Shaheen Bagh, Delhi was arrested; he had allegedly been running the operation for 8–9 months .
Case registered under FIR No.
140/26 invoking BNS, Copyright Act, and Trademark Act; investigation into wider syndicate is ongoing.
The Crime Branch of Delhi Police on Monday, 27 May 2026, dismantled a factory-cum-godown in Pul Prahladpur, Delhi, allegedly engaged in the large-scale manufacture, storage, and sale of counterfeit RO water filters bearing the trademarks of Kent, Aquaguard, and Havells. A total of 2,932 fake RO filters, along with packaging material, filter caps, and branding machinery, were seized during the raid. The factory's owner, Mohd. Tabrej, was arrested on the spot.
How the Operation Unfolded
The Anti Robbery and Snatching Cell (ARSC) of the Crime Branch had been monitoring a syndicate allegedly running a counterfeit RO filter racket across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). On 27 May 2026, the unit received specific intelligence that a large consignment of fake branded filters was being stored at and sold from a godown at 226/4, HR Block, Gali No. 4, Pul Prahladpur.
A dedicated team was constituted under the guidance of Inspector Mangesh Tyagi and the supervision of ACP ARSC Sanjay Kumar Nagpal, comprising SI Sandeep Sandhu, ASI Prempal Singh, and Head Constables Anuj Sirohi, Abhinav, Naveen, Amit, and Indrajeet. The team raided the premises and found Mohd. Tabrej present at the location.
What Was Seized
Authorised representatives of Kent RO, Havells India, and Aquaguard examined the recovered products on-site and confirmed them to be counterfeit. The seizure comprised 1,928 Kent RO filters, 738 Aquaguard filters, and 266 Havells filters. Police also recovered 1,372 Kent filter caps, 7,300 pieces of Kent packaging material, and two machines allegedly used for packaging and branding the spurious products.
The Accused: Background and Modus Operandi
According to investigators, Mohd. Tabrej, originally from Nalanda district, Bihar, relocated to Delhi in 2011. A Class 10 pass, he initially worked in the battery service sector before transitioning to RO servicing. He allegedly established the counterfeit operation approximately eight to nine months ago from rented premises. Police records indicate no prior criminal history.
A case has been registered under FIR No. 140/26 dated 28 May 2026 at Police Station Crime Branch, invoking Sections 318(4), 336(3), and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Sections 63 and 65 of the Copyright Act and Sections 103 and 104 of the Trademark Act.
Investigation and Wider Network
Investigators are now probing the broader syndicate behind the manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain of the counterfeit filters. Efforts are underway to identify other members of the network. This comes amid growing concerns over counterfeit consumer goods — particularly water purification products — circulating in Delhi-NCR markets, where brand-name filters command a significant price premium over unbranded alternatives. The investigation remains in progress.
Point of View
The question is how many similar micro-factories are running undetected across Delhi-NCR. The BNS and Trademark Act charges are appropriate, but conviction rates in IP-related cases in India remain low — enforcement without follow-through in court changes little.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized in the Delhi Crime Branch raid on the fake RO filter factory?
Police seized 2,932 counterfeit RO filters bearing the brands Kent, Aquaguard, and Havells from a factory in Pul Prahladpur, Delhi. The haul also included 1,372 filter caps, 7,300 packaging pieces, and two machines used for branding and packaging.
Who was arrested in the Delhi fake RO filter case?
Mohd. Tabrej , a resident of Shaheen Bagh, Delhi, and originally from Nalanda district, Bihar, was arrested on the spot during the raid on 27 May 2026. He is the owner of the factory-cum-godown and had allegedly been running the counterfeit operation for eight to nine months.
Which brands were targeted in the Delhi counterfeit RO filter racket?
The counterfeit filters impersonated three leading water purifier brands — Kent RO , Aquaguard , and Havells . Authorised representatives of all three companies examined the seized products and confirmed they were fake.
What charges have been filed in the Delhi fake RO filter case?
A case has been registered under FIR No. 140/26 dated 28 May 2026, invoking Sections 318(4), 336(3), and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, along with Sections 63 and 65 of the Copyright Act and Sections 103 and 104 of the Trademark Act.
Is the investigation into the Delhi fake RO filter syndicate ongoing?
Yes. Investigators are actively probing the wider network involved in manufacturing, distribution, and supply of counterfeit filters across Delhi-NCR. Efforts are underway to identify other syndicate members and trace the full supply chain.
