Lawrence, Jaggu and Dhanda… how dangerous are these 5 gangs of Punjab? Became a problem for America too

Some gangs of Punjab are no longer limited to India only, but their alleged network has spread to America, Canada and other countries. Recently, in the charge sheet filed in America, names like Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldie Brar, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, Sukhraj Kang and Ravinder Singh Dhanda have appeared. American investigative agencies allege that these networks were involved in organized crimes like murder conspiracy, extortion, drug smuggling and illegal weapons. This action clearly indicates that some gangs of Punjab are now under the radar of law enforcement agencies even at the international level.

It has also been told in the report that these gangs have changed the way they commit crimes. Earlier, gangs used to keep their activities hidden, but now they try to run their networks and create an atmosphere of fear by using social media, encrypted messaging apps and the Internet. According to the investigating agencies, extortion, drug smuggling and other criminal activities are allegedly carried out through associates sitting abroad. This is the reason why along with India, agencies like America and Canada are now jointly taking action on these networks.

• Mention of gang network related to Punjab in the recent charge sheet of America.
• According to the investigating agencies, many alleged associates are active outside India also.
• Names like Lawrence Bishnoi, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, Goldie Brar, Sukhraj Kang and Ravinder Singh Dhanda are in discussion.
• Under investigation for extortion, drugs, arms smuggling and international contacts.
• Agencies of India, Canada and America are continuously taking action on such networks.

What is Operation Hard Ball?

Operation Hard Ball is a joint international operation conducted by law enforcement agencies of America, Canada and Europe. Its objective was to take action against alleged international organized crime networks linked to India. This campaign was started after an investigation that lasted for several years. Under this operation, simultaneous raids were conducted at more than 50 places in America, Canada and Europe. During the action, 24 people were arrested and charge sheets were filed against 37 people. However, these allegations are yet to be heard in the court.

Lawrence Bishnoi

Lawrence Bishnoi’s name has been the most discussed in the last few years. Investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and various state police have claimed that despite being in jail, his network was spread to many states and foreign countries. Lawrence Bishnoi is a resident of Duttaranwali village in Fazilka district of Punjab. He did his early studies in Punjab and later took admission in DAV College, Chandigarh. His name came into controversy for the first time during student politics. After this, he came under the police radar in many criminal cases and gradually the gang associated with his name became famous in many states of North India. According to the investigating agencies, 84 cases related to murder, extortion, arms smuggling and organized crime are registered against him. At present he is in judicial custody in various cases and the hearing of many cases is going on in the courts.

• Many FIRs in Punjab under murder, attempt to murder, extortion, Arms Act and Gangster Act.
• In the case of murder of Punjabi singer Siddhu Moosewala in 2022, the name of his gang came up in the investigation.
• His gang was investigated in cases related to alleged threats to Bollywood actor Salman Khan and firing outside his house in Mumbai.
• National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against him in the gangster-terrorist nexus case.
• 84 cases of various extortion and organized crimes registered in Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Maharashtra.

Jaggu Bhagwanpuria

Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s name is also taken among the major gangs of Punjab. Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s real name is Jagtar Singh, he is a resident of Bhagwanpur village of Gurdaspur district of Punjab. His name was earlier known as a good Kabaddi player, but around the year 2012 he came into the world of crime. According to the police, more than 128 cases like murder, extortion, kidnapping, arms smuggling and drug smuggling are registered against him. He is in jail and is currently kept in Silchar Central Jail of Assam. Bhagwanpuria gang is an alleged international criminal network operating from India. According to US prosecutors, its members and associates span the US, Canada, Britain, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. There are said to be more than 1000 members of this gang worldwide, out of which more than 100 were working in America alone.

• Many FIRs in Punjab under murder, attempt to murder, extortion, kidnapping and Arms Act.
• In the investigation of Sidhu Moosewala murder case, his name came up in the context of rival gangs.
• According to Punjab Police, many serious criminal cases are registered against him.
• Name was also included in NIA’s gangster-terror funding investigation.

goldie brar

Goldie Brar’s real name is Satinderjit Singh and he is a resident of Sri Muktsar Sahib district of Punjab. According to the investigating agencies, he has been allegedly operating the Lawrence Bishnoi gang while living abroad for a long time. Investigation is going on against him in many cases related to murder, extortion, weapons and drugs in India. Recently, American investigative agencies have filed a charge sheet calling him a key member of the international organized crime network. The American FBI has also announced a reward of about Rs 43 lakh for information that helps in his arrest. These allegations are yet to be heard in court. Many investigating agencies of India have claimed that he used to maintain contacts through his associates while living abroad.

• Sidhu named as accused in Moosewala murder case.
• FIR of Punjab Police in several cases related to extortion and murder conspiracy.
• NIA announced reward on him and filed charge sheet in the gangster-terrorist network case.
• Investigation into allegations of allegedly operating a criminal network abroad.

Sukhraj Kang

Sukhraj Singh Kang is a resident of Punjab. Recently his name has come into discussion after the charge sheet filed in America. American investigative agencies allege that he was a major associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in India and coordinated the gang’s activities from here. According to officials, his international criminal network and financial transactions are also being investigated. However, all these allegations are from American investigative agencies and the matter is yet to be heard in the court.

• In the recent federal indictment in America, charges related to organized crime, drug trafficking, extortion and conspiracy to commit violent crimes have been leveled.
• His name has appeared in the records of Indian agencies in cases related to international gang networks.
• The number of cases available against him in India is not as public as Lawrence or Goldie Brar.

Ravinder Singh Dhanda

Ravinder Singh Dhanda alias John Wick is a person of Indian origin living in Vancouver, Canada. According to US federal prosecutors, he is the alleged leader of an international drug trafficking network. Recently, in a charge sheet filed in the US, it has been alleged that he operated a network of smuggling of cocaine and methamphetamine from the US to Canada and this network also allegedly provided smuggling services to other international criminals. Along with him, 10 other people have also been accused in this case. Its main partners are Jaskaran Bagri alias Baba and Gurtej Singh Smagh alias Simba. It is said that Ravinder Singh Dhanda is hiding in Canada.

• The recent US federal indictment involves charges related to organized crime and international criminal networks.
• Part of an investigation into murder conspiracy, extortion and other organized crimes, according to US prosecutors.
• Details of the publicly available FIR against him in India are limited, but investigative agencies are probing his alleged international links.