Fugitive Indian Gangsters Nabbed Overseas: Deportation Looms for Bishnoi-Linked Criminals

Indian law enforcement scored a significant victory against organized crime on Friday, apprehending two high-profile fugitives operating from abroad. Venkatesh Garg, a wanted gangster from Haryana, was detained in Georgia by a joint team involving officials from the Haryana Police and other security agencies. In a parallel development, Bhanu Rana—closely associated with the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate—was taken into custody in the United States. Both suspects face imminent deportation back to India, where they will confront a slew of pending charges.

The arrests underscore the growing challenge of transnational criminal networks, with authorities estimating that more than two dozen major Indian gangsters remain at large internationally, directing operations and enlisting local recruits to sustain their illicit enterprises. Garg and Rana, both in their prime operating years, exemplify this threat, having evaded capture for years while allegedly coordinating extortion rackets and violent assaults from safe havens abroad.

Garg, originally from Narayangarh in Haryana, has amassed over a dozen criminal cases in India, spanning multiple jurisdictions. He is accused of fleeing the country following his alleged role in the targeted killing of a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader in Gurugram, an incident that sent shockwaves through the region’s political circles. From his base in Georgia, Garg reportedly spearheaded recruitment drives, luring young men from Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and other northern states into his fold. His operations intertwined with those of Kapil Sangwan, another fugitive gangster based overseas. This collaboration came under scrutiny in October when Delhi Police apprehended four of Sangwan’s alleged shooters, who had carried out a brazen attack on a builder’s residence and adjacent property.

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Rana, hailing from Karnal in Haryana, has long been entrenched in the underworld, with his criminal footprint extending across Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi. His ties to the Bishnoi gang, known for its ruthless enforcement tactics, have drawn particular attention from investigators. Rana’s name emerged prominently during probes into a grenade assault in Punjab, highlighting his role in procuring and distributing weaponry. In June, the Special Task Force (STF) in Karnal arrested two individuals caught with hand grenades, pistols, and live ammunition—items they admitted were supplied on Rana’s instructions. This bust peeled back layers of his supply chain, revealing a sophisticated network that preys on regional vulnerabilities.

The coordinated takedowns of Garg and Rana were the result of meticulous intelligence-sharing between Indian agencies and their international counterparts, including U.S. authorities. While the exact mechanics of the operations remain under wraps, officials hinted at advanced surveillance and informant networks playing pivotal roles. “These arrests disrupt key nodes in cross-border syndicates that have terrorized communities for far too long,” a senior Haryana Police officer told NDTV, speaking on condition of anonymity.

As deportation proceedings advance, the focus shifts to dismantling the broader ecosystems these gangsters cultivated. Indian authorities are ramping up efforts to trace assets, freeze bank accounts, and intercept communications tied to the fugitives’ associates. The Bishnoi gang, in particular, has been linked to a string of high-profile incidents, from celebrity extortion threats to political assassinations, fueling calls for enhanced global cooperation.

For families in Haryana and beyond, scarred by the violence of these networks, the news brings a measure of relief. Yet experts caution that the battle is far from over. With gangsters increasingly leveraging digital tools and diaspora connections, India’s fight against organized crime demands sustained vigilance and diplomatic muscle. As Garg and Rana prepare to face justice on home soil, their captures serve as a stark reminder: no border is impenetrable to the long arm of the law.