Fake Police Clearance Certificates: Delhi Police constable arrested after Shaheen Bagh probe

Delhi Police arrested a constable posted at Shaheen Bagh police station over alleged involvement in a fake Police Clearance Certificate racket. The case emerged during a southeast Delhi narcotics investigation after an alleged drug trafficker was held with MDMA. Police said the accused and an associate charged Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per forged PCC.

Delhi Police arrested a constable from Shaheen Bagh police station for alleged links to a fake Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) racket, an official said on Friday. Investigators said the case surfaced during a probe tied to narcotics trafficking in southeast Delhi. Police said the alleged operation produced forged PCCs quickly, unlike official certificates issued after verification.

The racket was detected after the district narcotics unit detained an alleged drug trafficker, Ashish, and seized about 18 grams of MDMA. During questioning, police raided a rented accommodation linked to Ashish in the Sunlight Colony area. Police found constable Arun and an associate, Tushar, living there for six months.

Fake Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs) found during Sunlight Colony raid

Police said Arun is a 2017-batch constable from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. Police identified Tushar as a resident of Pilkhuwa in Uttar Pradesh. Police said Tushar earlier worked as a police mitra with several police stations. The pair allegedly ran the forgery work from the rented house.

Police said the accommodation had been rented for Rs 35,000 per month. During the search, officers recovered many forged PCCs and blank forms. Police also found several official-looking stamps. Officials said the stamps allegedly carried names of Delhi Police SHOs, Ghaziabad officials, and other police officers.

Fake Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs) sold for quick delivery, police say

According to police, the duo allegedly charged around Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per forged PCC. Police said the documents were delivered within a few hours. Police said genuine PCCs are issued online by the Delhi Police Special Branch. Police added that real PCC processing usually takes 10-15 days after verification.

Investigators also recovered a fake Delhi Police identity card allegedly used by Tushar. Police said the card was used while posing as a constable. Officials said several fake PCCs were also stored on the accused persons’ mobile phones. Police suspect hundreds of forged certificates may have been generated.

Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs) and narcotics case lead to two FIRs

Officials said two separate FIRs were registered at Sunlight Colony police station. One FIR relates to the MDMA recovery linked to Ashish. The second FIR concerns impersonation, forgery, and preparation of fake PCCs. Police sources also claimed payment for the recovered MDMA was allegedly made through the constable’s phone.

During the raid, police found a foreign woman at the rented accommodation. Police believe the woman is a resident of Uzbekistan. Investigators are checking possible links between the woman and the accused. Police are also examining whether the woman had any connection to narcotics trafficking or other illegal activity.

Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs) cost Rs 10 officially, sources say

Police said a Police Clearance Certificate is issued by the Delhi Police Special Branch. The document certifies that an applicant has no criminal record. Police said PCCs are often needed for overseas employment, visas, immigration processes, private jobs, and tenant checks. Police sources said the official application fee is Rs 10.

Police also referred to a separate case involving a former officer in the same area. Police said a sub-inspector, Rakesh Kumar, earlier posted in Crime Branch, has been absconding for years. Officials said Rakesh Kumar was allegedly involved in drug trafficking in Sunlight Colony. Police said Rakesh Kumar was dismissed in March 2025 and remains untraced.

With inputs from PTI