Pune Police Detain Suspected Bishnoi Gang Member From Rajasthan in Extortion Firing Case
Pune, 3rd July 2026: The Pune Police Crime Branch has detained a suspected member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang from Rajasthan in connection with the recent firing and extortion case involving a steel warehouse owner in Pune.
The suspect, identified as Pawan Ram, was detained from Hanumangarh district in Rajasthan. Police are questioning him to ascertain his role in the case and to identify others involved in the extortion racket.
According to the police, the Bishnoi gang had allegedly demanded Rs 5 crore as extortion from the owner of a steel warehouse in Manjari Budruk’s Mantarwadi area. Around two weeks ago, two men allegedly linked to the gang opened fire in the air outside the warehouse to intimidate the businessman after the extortion demand.
Following the incident, the Pune Police Crime Branch launched an investigation, which led officers to Rajasthan, where Pawan Ram was taken into custody.
The latest action comes amid growing concern over a series of extortion threats allegedly issued in the name of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to businessmen in Pune. In another recent case, a prominent city businessman reportedly received a demand for Rs 2 crore.
Police are investigating whether the incidents are linked and are probing the gang’s network, including those involved in issuing threats and carrying out intimidation tactics. The repeated extortion attempts over the past week have raised concerns among Pune’s business community, with police intensifying efforts to crack down on the network.
