PUNJAB POLICE BUST EXTORTION RACKET EXPLOITING NAME OF LAWRENCE BISHNOI GANG; ONE OPERATIVE HELD WITH PISTOL

Chandigarh: Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police have busted an extortion module, which was exploiting the name of the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi Gang, with the arrest of its one member from from TDI Wellington City, Sec-117, Mohali. The extortion module was active in Mohali, Chandigarh and adjoining areas.

The arrested accused identified as Vishal Kumar (19), a resident of Maloya in Chandigarh was working at a local Salon. Police teams have also recovered one .32 bore pistol along with two live cartridges from his possession.

AIG SSOC SAS Mohali Ashwani Kapur following several reports of extortion attempts and threatening phone calls made by an individual claiming affiliation with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, Punjab Police had launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter. After intelligence gathering, the Police teams were able to identify Vishal Kumar and his aide Kashmir Singh alias Bobby of village Ghangroli in Samana, Patiala, as the prime suspects, he said.

He said that following reliable inputs, Police teams from SSOC raided possible hideouts of suspects identified and have successfully arrested Vishal Kumar from TDI Wellington City, when he was going to meet Kashmir Singh alias Bobby, who was suspected to have taken shelter in the area. However, Kashmir alias Bobby could not be arrested and Police teams are on manhunt to nab him, he said.

Divulging details about the modus operandi, AIG Kapur said that Kashmir alias Bobby used to make extortion and threat calls to the affluent persons including owners of night clubs and bars in Chandigarh, Mohali and other adjoining areas, while, Vishal used to intimidate those targeted persons to collect extortion money from them.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that accused Vishal Kumar and Kashmir alias Bobby had also attacked the house of owner of “SKULL” club, Mohali on 11 May, 2023 to extort money from him, he said, while adding that further investigations are on and more revelations expected during the course of investigation.

Meanwhile, a case FIR No 10 dated 24-06-2023 has been registered under section 25-54-59 of the Arms Act at Police Station SSOC SAS Nagar.