In a significant crackdown on organized crime financing, the Sriganganagar police in Rajasthan have made a series of arrests, bringing the total to 11 individuals allegedly involved in managing and transporting extortion money for the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The breakthrough follows the seizure of a massive Rs 91 lakh in cash earlier this week.
Arrests Unfold Over Consecutive Days
The police action escalated on Saturday with the arrest of two more suspects, identified as Manish Sharma and Sahil Kumar. These arrests were a direct result of interrogations following the apprehension of five accused the previous day, Friday. Those arrested on Friday were Jay Mal, Jay Pal, Manish Kumar, Ghyan Shyam, and Balvinder.
This latest development stems from the initial bust on Wednesday, when district police arrested four suspects. Among them were Kuldeep Kumar (50) and his son Yogesh Kumar (32). The police also confiscated Rs 91 lakh in cash during this raid. Upon questioning, Kuldeep and Yogesh confessed to working for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, with their primary role being the collection of extortion money from traders.
Intricate Network of Money Collection and Transfer
Investigations revealed a well-organized system for moving illicit funds. The duo's operation involved gathering money from multiple locations and then shuffling cash between various couriers. The final destination of these funds was associates tasked with recruitment, training, and maintaining the gang's financial accounts.
Police identified Manish Kumar as a pivotal node in this network. He acted as the crucial link between the collectors on the ground and the couriers responsible for the onward movement of cash. The money trail grew more complex as police uncovered that Kuldeep's nephew, Akshay, was in contact with Sahil alias Shanty, who works for Arzoo Bishnoi, a close aide of Lawrence Bishnoi. Akshay allegedly leveraged this connection to start working for Arzoo.
According to the police, ransom and extortion money collected for Arzoo and Lawrence was funneled through Akshay to Kuldeep and Yogesh. From them, it was passed on for delivery via Manish Kumar and other couriers in the chain.
Cash for Crime: Funding Weapons and Fugitives
The Rs 91 lakh seized on Wednesday had a specific and dangerous purpose. Police stated the cash was brought from Jodhpur and was sourced entirely from extortion activities. The funds were earmarked to finance several critical gang operations:
- Procurement of weapons
- Recruitment of new members
- Training of gang associates
- Financial support for absconding gang members
The investigation also shed light on the gang's sophisticated money distribution methods. While smaller sums were delivered to members through physical cash drops, larger funds intended for senior operatives based overseas were routed through USDT (Tether), a cryptocurrency pegged to the value of the US dollar. This highlights the gang's attempt to use modern, less traceable financial channels for major transactions.
The Sriganganagar police's persistent investigation, tracing the financial trail, has dealt a substantial blow to the gang's logistical and funding network, preventing a significant sum from being used to fuel further criminal activities.
