Pune Police Bust Bishnoi Gang Extortion Racket: Shooters Detained from Punjab and Rajasthan

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 7th July 2026: In a major breakthrough, the Pune City Police has completely dismantled an organized extortion racket linked to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The success follows a relentless multi-state operation that culminated in the detention of suspected shooters in Punjab and the invocation of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar announced on Tuesday.

The police action comes in the wake of a firing incident outside a steel businessman’s establishment in Mantarwadi, Fursungi, which was preceded by a ₹5 crore extortion threat made in the name of the Bishnoi gang.

Key Breakthroughs in the Multi-State Operation

Commissioner Amitesh Kumar detailed the swift and coordinated arrests that have effectively neutralized the local gang module:

Shooters and Logistic Provider Detained:

Acting on precise leads, a Pune Crime Branch team tracked the shooters to Punjab. In a late-night operation, police detained the suspected shooters along with an associate who provided them with logistical support in Bathinda, Punjab.

Key Suspect Apprehended:

One of the key suspects, Pawan Ram, was earlier apprehended from the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan and is currently in Police Custody Remand (PCR).

Local Informer Arrested:

A local Pune-based associate, who was conducting reconnaissance and passing sensitive information to the out-of-state shooters, has also been arrested and is in police custody.

Weapon Seizures: Officers successfully recovered three firearms from the accused.

Currently, four suspects are in custody—two are undergoing active PCR in Pune, while the remaining two are in transit from Punjab.

MCOCA Invoked Against the Syndicate

To ensure a watertight case and prevent the accused from easily securing bail, the Pune Police has registered charges under extortion and invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Commissioner Kumar stated that the shooters are original residents of Sirsa (Haryana) and Hanumangarh (Rajasthan). They had initially traveled to Pune under the guise of seeking employment.

“We are investigating whether these calls were made on someone else’s direct instructions or if they used the gang’s name independently. The ongoing interrogation of the transit suspects will bring complete clarity once they reach Pune.”
— Amitesh Kumar, Pune Police Commissioner

A Mammoth Investigative Effort

The Commissioner highly praised the determination of the investigating officers, highlighting the sheer scale of the 15-day probe:

5,000 Kilometers Traveled: Crime Branch teams traversed over 5,000 kilometers across multiple states, including Rajasthan and Punjab, to close in on the suspects.

1,000+ Hours of CCTV Analyzed: Investigators meticulously reviewed more than 1,000 hours of CCTV footage. The Crime Branch and Zone 6 teams worked around-the-clock for the first four days to trace the escape routes of the suspects.

Rewards and Felicitations for the Teams

To recognize this exemplary performance, Commissioner Kumar announced a total cash reward of ₹5 lakh for the personnel involved:
The operation was executed by five specialized teams (four from the Crime Branch and one from Zone 6).

Each of the five teams will receive a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.

A formal felicitation ceremony will be hosted once all officers return to the city after completing the transit procedures for the suspects.

Ironclad Assurance to the Business Community

Sending an uncompromising warning to criminal elements, CP Amitesh Kumar reassured local merchants, industrialists, and establishment owners that Pune remains entirely safe.

“Pune Police will not tolerate any form of intimidation, extortion threats, or harassment from criminal elements,” Kumar warned. “If anyone dares to try such tactics, the Pune City Police is fully prepared to completely decimate and neutralize their network. Pune is safe for business owners, and we will continue to guarantee their security.”