A Punjab Police officer has been charged by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in connection with an alleged $400,000 extortion case linked to organised crime. The allegations are part of a sweeping racketeering investigation under “Operation Hard Ball,” a multinational probe targeting organised crime groups accused of murder, extortion, drug trafficking and other offences across the United States, Canada and Europe.
The officer named in the case is Gurinderjit Singh Nagra, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Tanda Police Station in Punjab.
FBI Names Punjab Officer in Racketeering Case
According to the FBI, the allegations against Gurinderjit Singh Nagra are included in one of three federal indictments unsealed as part of Operation Hard Ball.
The investigation is aimed at dismantling India-based organised crime syndicates allegedly involved in extortion, violent crime and international narcotics trafficking. The case involving Nagra is linked to an alleged $400,000 extortion case.
Punjab Police Transfers Officer, Orders Inquiry
Following media reports about the FBI’s action, the Punjab Police transferred Gurinderjit Singh Nagra from Tanda Police Station to Police Lines, Hoshiarpur, and ordered a fact-finding inquiry.
The Office of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Jalandhar Range, said the department had taken cognisance of media reports and social media posts regarding Nagra’s alleged involvement in the FBI investigation.
Pending verification of the facts, the officer has been transferred to Police Lines with immediate effect. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Hoshiarpur, said the transfer was only a precautionary measure while the allegations are being examined.
The SSP told media, that “For now, this matter has come to light based on the video and information circulating on social media. So far, no official confirmation or clear information has been received from the Government of India or the Punjab Government in this regard.”
The DIG has assigned the inquiry to the Superintendent of Police (Investigation), Jalandhar Rural. Punjab Police said any further legal action would depend on the findings of the inquiry.
Political Row Erupts
The case has also triggered a political controversy. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia accused the Bhagwant Mann-led government of allowing an alleged nexus between the police, gangsters and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
In a post on X, Majithia claimed, “The FBI has charged Punjab Police SHO Gurinderjit Singh Nagra of Tanda Police Station in connection with a $400,000 extortion case. Allegation: The family was threatened in the United States, while their relatives in India were allegedly implicated in a false murder case.”
He further stated, “Just as the FBI sought the extradition of Goldy Brar, Lawrence Bishnoi, and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, a Punjab Police officer has now also come under the FBI’s scanner. Due to the alleged misdeeds of ‘Guru Dhokhi’ Bhagwant Mann and his coterie, the Punjab Police, once known for its reputation, has today become a symbol of global embarrassment.”
Majithia also alleged that ‘Guru Dhokhi Bhagwant Mann, the alleged dark deeds of the ‘permanent police’ under a ‘temporary DGP’ have now become known across the world. If the FBI takes this inspector to the United States, the alleged AAP, gangster, and Punjab Police nexus will be exposed before the world, something many have been demanding.”
Operation Hard Ball Targets India-Based Organised Crime Networks
The allegations against Gurinderjit Singh Nagra are part of Operation Hard Ball, a large-scale law enforcement operation led by US authorities against India-based organised crime networks. The operation focuses on syndicates accused of involvement in extortion, violent crimes and international narcotics trafficking.
As part of the crackdown, the FBI has also announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of Satinderjeet Singh, alias Goldy Brar, who is wanted for his alleged involvement with the Lawrence Bishnoi organised crime group.
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