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Former Punjab Police SHO arrested in FBI-linked extortion case tied to gangster network

Published on: 18 Jul 2026, 06:20 AM

A former Station House Officer (SHO) of Punjab's Tanda police station, Gurinderjit Singh Nagra, was arrested late Friday in connection with an extortion case linked to an international investigation by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The arrest follows revelations made during Operation Hard Ball, a joint investigation by law enforcement agencies from the United States, Canada, and Europe targeting transnational organised crime networks allegedly connected to gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.

According to US authorities, Nagra was involved in an attempt to extort $400,000 from a family living in the United States by exploiting a murder investigation in Punjab. The family of Charanjit Singh, a retired assistant sub-inspector settled in the US, was allegedly contacted by individuals linked to the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria network, who demanded money in exchange for ensuring leniency in the murder case and preventing further legal action. US Attorney Bilal A “Bill” Essayli specifically named Nagra among those suspected of facilitating the extortion attempt.

The extortion allegations stem from the investigation into the murder of Balwinder Singh Satkartar, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker and hardware businessman, who was shot dead by three motorcycle-borne assailants in Miani village of Tanda on January 15, 2026. On May 24, Nagra, then SHO of Tanda police station, addressed a press conference claiming that the murder was the result of a family dispute, alleging that Charanjit Singh had orchestrated the killing over a matrimonial dispute involving his daughter.

After Nagra's name surfaced in the international investigation, the Punjab Police removed him from field duties and conducted a departmental inquiry that found prima facie evidence against him. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Navin Singla assigned Superintendent of Police Vineet Ahlawat to conduct the probe. A case has been registered under extortion and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Punjab Police have not disclosed whether additional arrests are likely. DIG Naveon Singla confirmed Nagra's arrest on corruption and other charges, adding that the investigation is continuing.

Source: Indian Express

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