Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Jalandhar Rural Police busts notorious Ankush Bhaya Gang; 9 persons including kingpin, police constable held
Police teams recover four pistols, 1000 intoxicant pills and a venue car
Babushahi Bureau
Jalandhar, September 14, 2024: In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to destroy the organised criminal networks in the state as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Jalandhar Rural Police has arrested seven operatives of the notorious Ankush Bhaya organised criminal gang, including the lynchpin Ankush Sabharwal alias Bhaya, exposing links to major USA-based criminal syndicates including Goldy Brar, Vikram Brar and Ravi Balachoria, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.
Other six members arrested have been identified as Pankaj Sabharwal alias Panku of Mohalla Rishi Nagar in Nakodar; Vishal Sabharwal alias Bhadthu of Rishi Nagar in Nakodar; Harmanpreet Singh alias Harman of Mohalla Rounta in Nakodar; Jaskaran Singh Purewal alias Karan alias Jassa of Mohalla Gons in Nakodar; Ariyan Singh of village Nawajipur in Shahkot; and Rupesh Kumar of Rishi Nagar in Nakodar. Police have also nominated two more gang members identified as Karan Sabharwal alias Kannu of Rishi Nagar in Nakodar and Dalbir Singh alias Harman alias Bhola alias Langda of Mohalla Gons in Nakodar in the case, while, another member identified as Dibu of Hoshiarpur is also wanted in connection with the case.
Police teams have also recovered four pistols— including two .30 bore pistols, one .32 bore pistol and one .315 bore country-made pistol along with seven live cartridges and 1000 Alprazolam tablets from their possession, besides, impounding a white Venue car (PB-08-EZ-2018), on which they were travelling. 2q
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that in a related development, Police teams have also arrested a police constable posted at Sadar Nakodar Police Station identified as Aryan Singh Shipai for conniving with the gang and leaking sensitive information to the gang.
Aryan had been absent from duty for approximately 1.5 months and was involved in revealing secret details of police operations and providing logistics support to the gangsters, he added.
He said that preliminary investigation has also found that kingpin Ankush Bhaya was in frequent touch with foreign based organised criminal Lovepreet Singh alias Ladi and jailed gangster Ravi Balachoria.
The DGP said that with the arrest of members of this module Jalandhar Rural Police has successfully averted possible attacks on rival criminals in Hoshiarpur, Mehatpur and Nakodar and a bank robbery conspired by the gang members. Investigations are ongoing to dismantle their broader network, both locally and internationally, he said.
Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jalandhar Rural Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh, while addressing a press conference said that based on a credible tip-off, police teams set up a checkpoint near Malhri village, GT Road, Nakodar City, where they intercepted a white Venue car. During checking, police teams found occupants heavily armed and in possession of 1000 Alprazolam intoxicant tablets, he added.
He said that the entire operation was led by SP Investigation Jasroop Kaur Batth with two police teams headed by Incharge CIA Staff Pushap Bali and SHO City Police Station Sanjeev Kapoor, under the supervision of DSP Investigation, Lakhvir Singh.
The SSP said that on the disclosure of arrested persons, police teams have also arrested the Venue car owner, identified as Rupesh, who also provided logistical support to the gang, including safe houses and weapon storage.
He said that the arrested gang members have a history of serious criminal activities across several districts and were involved in crimes including drug trafficking, organised crime and violent activities.
Terming the arrest of these criminals as a significant victory in breaking the backbone of these violent gangs, SSP Khakh said, “We will ensure that all those involved in illegal activities, no matter how well connected, will be brought to justice.”
In this regard, a case FIR has been registered under sections Sections 25, 54, and 59 of the Arms Act at Nakodar City Police Station and following latest arrests and recovery, additional charges have been added under sections 111 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 25.6, 25.7, 25.8 and 25(1B)a of the Arms Act and Sections 22(C), 29, and 25 of the NDPS Act.