JALANDHAR
The Jalandhar(rural) Police have arrested seven members of the notorious Ankush Bhaya Gang who have been linked to major criminal syndicates, including Vikram Brar, Goldy Brar, Rinda Baba, and Ravi Balachoria.
The seven arrested assumed have been identified as Ankush Sabharwal alias Bhaya, son of Ramesh Kumar, resident of Mohalla Rishi Nagar, Nakodar; Pankaj Sabharwal alias Panku, son of Ramesh Kumar, resident of Mohalla Rishi Nagar, Nakodar; Vishal Sabharwal alias Bhadthu, son of Jung Bahadur, resident of Rishi Nagar, Nakodar; Harmanpreet Singh alias Harman, son of Baldev Singh, resident of Mohalla Rounta, Nakodar; Jaskaran Singh Purewal alias Karan alias Jassa, son of Teja Singh, resident of Mohalla Gons, Nakodar; Ariyan Singh, son of Rajinder Singh, resident of village Nawajipur, under Shahkot police station and Rupesh Kumar, son of Rajesh Kumar, resident of Rishi Nagar, Nakodar.
Karan Sabharwal alias Kannu, son of Surinder Kumar, resident of Rishi Nagar, Nakodar, and Dalbir Singh alias Harman alias Bhola alias Langda, son of Shingara Singh, resident of Mohalla Gons, Nakodar, have been nominated in the case. Dibu, resident of Hoshiarpur, is also wanted in connection with the case.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh told the media that this is a major success in our ongoing crackdown against organised crime. The arrest of these criminals marks a significant victory in breaking the backbone of these violent gangs.
Based on a credible tip-off, police teams set up a checkpoint near Malhri village, GT Road, Nakodar City, where they intercepted a white Venue car (PB-08-EZ-2018). The occupants were found heavily armed and in possession of 1000 Alprazolam intoxicant tablets. The cache of illegal weapons seized during the operation included four pistols- two .30 bore pistols, one .32 bore pistol, and one .315 bore country-made pistol along with seven live cartridges. The police have thwarted the gang’s plans to carry out a bank robbery and a murder of rival gang members in Hoshiarpur and two more individuals in Nakodar and Mehatpur.
During the preliminary investigation, the apprehended suspects disclosed crucial information: the Venue car's proprietors, identified as Rupesh and Aryan Singh Shipai, had been instrumental in providing logistical support and sanctuary to the accused. Furthermore, these individuals allegedly facilitated the storage of both weaponry and illicit substances on behalf of the suspects.
In a related development, Aryan Singh Shipai, a police constable from Sadar Nakodar Police Station, was arrested for leaking sensitive information to the gang. Aryan had been absent from duty for approximately 1.5 months and was involved in revealing secret details of police operations and providing logistics support to the gangsters.
The venue car owner, namely Rupesh, who provided logistical support to the gang, including safe houses and weapon storage, was arrested as well. It was further revealed that Dibu from Hoshiarpur, who supplied drugs to the gang for resale, has been nominated in the case.
The main leader, Ankush, linked to overseas criminal Lovepreet Singh alias Ladi and jailed gangster Ravi Balachoria, is accused of planning to kill rival gang members in Hoshiarpur and two more individuals in Nakodar and Shahkot following a dispute. Guns for the attack were provided by Ladi and Vishal Sabbarwal, and one has already been recovered by the police.
The arrested gang members have a history of serious criminal activities across several districts: Ankush Sabharwal alias Bhaya is involved in multiple cases under IPC Sections 379B, 324, 148, and the Arms Act. Pankaj Sabharwal alias Panku is implicated in a case registered on 12-09-2023 under IPC Sections 307, 324, and 506, and Vishal Sabharwal alias Bhadthu is wanted in previous cases involving the Arms Act and violent crimes. These records demonstrate the gang’s long-standing involvement in organized crime, drug trafficking, and violent activities.
SSP said a case was registered at Nakodar City Police Station under Sections 25, 54, and 59 of the Arms Act adding that additional charges have been added under Sections 111(organized crime ), 61(2)(criminal conspiracy) of the BNS, and 25.6, 25.7, 25.8, 25(1B) of the Arms Act, sections 22(C), 29, and 25-61-85 of the NDPS Act.
SSP Khakh issued a strong warning to other criminals, stating, that this should serve as a clear message to all operating in Jalandhar Rural. We will continue to crack down on organized crime and bring offenders to justice.