NEW DELHI: In a significant triumph for Indian security agencies, two of the nation’s most elusive and dangerous gangsters, who had been orchestrating their criminal empires from foreign soil, have been successfully apprehended. This major crackdown signals a deepening reach of Indian law enforcement beyond its borders, targeting the intricate networks of organized crime.
Working in a coordinated effort, officials from various Indian security agencies, including the Haryana Police, secured the arrest of Venkatesh Garg in Georgia, while Bhanu Rana was tracked down and arrested in the United States. Currently, intelligence reports suggest that over two dozen major Indian gangsters continue to operate from abroad, actively recruiting new members and running vast criminal syndicates that span multiple states. The arrests of Garg and Rana represent a crucial blow to these transnational operations.
Venkatesh Garg: The BSP Murderer and Extortion Kingpin
Venkatesh Garg, originally from Narayangarh in Haryana, had been residing in Georgia, where he continued to direct his illicit activities. He is implicated in more than ten criminal cases in India, the most significant being his involvement in the murder of a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader in Gurugram, an act that prompted his flight from the country.
Both Garg and Rana will be deported to India soon.
From his distant base, Garg was actively engaged in recruiting impressionable youth from Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and other North Indian states to bolster his ranks. He was also a key player in an extortion syndicate run in collaboration with Kapil Sangwan, another prominent gangster currently operating overseas. The depth of their network was underscored in October when the Delhi Police successfully apprehended four of Sangwan’s shooters, who were responsible for a brazen shooting at a builder’s residence and farmhouse.
Bhanu Rana: The Bishnoi Gang Affiliate Behind Grenade Attacks
Meanwhile, Bhanu Rana, hailing from Karnal, had established a presence in the United States for “quite some time,” from where he maintained his connections to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Rana has a long history in the criminal underworld, with numerous cases registered against him. His extensive criminal network casts a wide shadow across Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi.
Rana’s name notably emerged during the investigation into a chilling grenade attack in Punjab, highlighting his involvement in serious acts of violence. In June, the Special Task Force (STF) in Karnal made a crucial breakthrough, arresting two individuals found in possession of hand grenades, pistols, and ammunition. It was revealed that these operatives were acting directly under the instructions of Bhanu Rana, further solidifying the evidence against him. (TV9)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
