Chandigarh: The FBI on Tuesday added 26-year-old Indian national Nitish Kaushal alias Lala to its Most Wanted list, accusing him of carrying out violence, kidnappings and assaults for the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang.“Kaushal is wanted for his alleged involvement in a transnational criminal organisation engaged in murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, weapons trafficking, money laundering and human smuggling,” the FBI stated. The agency said a federal court in Los Angeles issued an arrest warrant for Kaushal on June 25, charging him with “Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations” conspiracy. Prosecutors use these charges to target entire criminal enterprises—from street-level thugs to top bosses—by linking them to the group’s overall crimes. According to the FBI notice, the Bhagwanpuria gang originated in Punjab, but operates in southern California and elsewhere. The agency warns that Kaushal is armed, dangerous, and an escape risk. The latest action follows Operation Hard Ball, a joint crackdown by the US department of justice and the FBI against India-linked crime syndicates. The operation unsealed three indictments charging 37 defendants tied to the Lawrence Bishnoi enterprise, the Bhagwanpuria group, and the Ravinder Singh Dhanda smuggling ring. These syndicates allegedly ran operations across India, the US, Canada, and Europe, dealing in murder-for-hire, extortion, drugs, weapons, and human smuggling. More than 50 coordinated raids across three continents netted 24 arrests alongside seized guns, drugs, and cash. One indictment alleges Lawrence Bishnoi and his close associate, Goldy Brar, ordered the June 2023 murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. US authorities have said they will seek the extradition of Lawrence Bishnoi from India, as well as Punjab Police inspector Gurinderjit Singh Nagra, who is charged with trying to extort $400,000 from a California family on behalf of the Bhagwanpuria syndicate. MSID:: 132415868 413 |
