Chandigarh, September 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Government’s first-ever extradition of a gangster from Europe reflects its “no-compromise” approach towards organised crime, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said on Saturday, claiming that 10 wanted fugitives had been brought back to India through deportation or extradition in the past seven months.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Arora said the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC), established by the Punjab Police on January 20, 2026, had been tasked with identifying, tracking and bringing back criminals operating from abroad. He said 21 additional extradition proposals were currently pending with the Central Government.
Arora said the Mann Government had made the fight against drugs and gangsterism a priority and accused the previous 10-year Akali Dal-BJP government and five-year Congress government of allowing gangsterism to flourish.
Referring to the 2021 Budget Session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, he said Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia had traded allegations over alleged political links with gangsters, including Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. Arora said the situation had deteriorated to the extent that gangsterism had become a major issue inside the House.
He said increased police action in Punjab had prompted several fugitives and hardcore criminals to flee abroad, with some allegedly continuing to orchestrate extortion and other criminal activities from foreign countries or other states.
According to Arora, OFTEC coordinates with the state investigation wing, Bureau of Investigation, CBI, Interpol, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, local police and National Investigation Agency to trace fugitives and establish links between overseas operators and crimes or attempted crimes in Punjab.
Among those recently brought back is gangster Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Dalam, who faces three serious cases and was brought from Moldova on Saturday.
Arora said Ajay Singh alias Ajay Malaysia and Pawandeep Singh, wanted in FIR No. 150 dated October 27, 2025, registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Explosive Substances Act at Jodhewal police station in Ludhiana, were brought back from Malaysia on August 19, 2026.
Jaspreet Singh alias Jass Behbal, wanted in three FIRs registered at City Kotkapura in Faridkot and Tapa in Barnala, was also brought back from Malaysia on August 19. Manjeet Singh and Gurvinder Singh, wanted in FIR No. 76 at Kotwali police station in Patiala, were brought back from Malaysia on June 18. Jobanjit Billa, wanted in FIR No. 94 dated May 24, 2023, under the IPC and Arms Act at Beas police station in Amritsar, was brought back from Indonesia on July 24.
From the UAE, Amritpal Singh Mehron, wanted in two FIRs in Amritsar and Barnala, was brought back on April 10. Bhuvnesh Chopra, wanted in seven FIRs registered in Ferozepur, Kharar, Fazilka and Patiala, returned from the UAE on March 12. Kamal alias Kamal Athwal alias Kamalpreet Singh Billa, wanted in FIR No. 132 at Machhiwara police station in Khanna, was brought back from the United States on March 24.
Arora said the extradition process requires state police agencies to send proposals to the Central Government, which coordinates with the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs for securing the return of fugitives from other countries.
He urged the Centre to act against gangsters allegedly operating from jails and “safe havens” in BJP-ruled states, claiming that some were running national and international criminal networks through associates in different states and countries. He also appealed to the Akali Dal, which he said was seeking an alliance with the BJP, to support action against such networks.
Arora said organised crime had become more complex with the use of encrypted messages and voice calls, making it necessary for central agencies and state police to work together on a national-level response.
He congratulated Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Police on the latest action and appealed to residents to immediately report criminal incidents, threats, attempted crimes or extortion calls to the local police.
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