Latest news with #Pavittar
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Pavittar Singh, alias 'Chaura,' arrested by FBI, Punjab cops eye his return
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police is learnt to be in the process of renewing efforts to bring back absconding fugitive Pavittar Singh alias 'Chaura' - one of eight Indian-origin suspects arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US on July 11 as part of its 'Summer Heat' crackdown on gang violence. A Punjab Police officer, who did not wish to come on record, said they were in the process of asking central agencies to bring back the fugitive. It is, however, not yet clear whether the fugitive would be extradited or deported, added the officer. "It is not clear if Pavittar had been living illegally in the US or had a legal status. If he has been living illegally, there is a possibility of his deportation, which is easier," said the officer. Chaura's status in the US is a mystery as a Punjab Police dossier mentions he had been arrested in the US earlier too, said the officer. In April 2023, Pavittar (30), a resident of Chaura village in Gurdaspur district, was arrested along with an associate in connection with a Dec 2022 shooting in Woodland, US, according to the dossier. The officer said they believe Chaura got bail in the earlier case. Pavittar, according to the dossier, travelled to Singapore on a student visa on Nov 8, 2016, and then left for the US. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Serbia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House Search Now Undo "He, most likely, went through illegal means," said the officer. According to the officer, in 2023, Pavittar and his associate Husandeep Singh were arrested on charges of attempted murder and criminal conspiracy, as part of a multi-agency crackdown against violent incidents in the US, in what was called 'Operation Broken Sword'. According to the dossier, between Oct 2013 and Nov 2023, Pavittar was named in 12 FIRs registered at police stations in Punjab - including two for murder, five for attempted murder, and others under the Arms Act and at least one under the NDPS Act. The dossier mentioned him as an accused in a case of cheating and another under the Passport Act and the Prisons Act in an FIR registered in Dec 2022 at state special operation cell (SSOC), Amritsar. Pavittar "has been living in California, USA, for the last few years", reads the dossier. An open-dated warrant of arrest, a lookout circular (LoC), and a red-corner notice had been issued against Pavittar before July 11. The dossier reads: "He is also having links with banned militant groups such as Babbar Khalsa International." Another Punjab Police officer said Pavittar and his gang now faced charges of kidnapping for ransom, torture, and possessing illegal weapons in the US. The crimes carry life sentences. "When abroad, Pavittar continued to operate a criminal network in Punjab through local associates. He is believed to have been involved in extortions, targeted killings, and other illegal activities," the dossier said.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Fugitive Pavittar Singh ‘Chaura' arrested by FBI in US, Punjab cops eye his return
1 2 Chandigarh: Punjab Police is learnt to be in the process of renewing efforts to bring back absconding fugitive Pavittar Singh alias 'Chaura' — one of eight Indian-origin suspects arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US on July 11 as part of its 'Summer Heat' crackdown on gang violence. A Punjab Police officer, who did not wish to come on record, said they were in the process of asking central agencies to bring back the fugitive. It is, however, not yet clear whether the fugitive would be extradited or deported, added the officer. "It is not clear if Pavittar had been living illegally in the US or had a legal status. If he has been living illegally, there is a possibility of his deportation, which is easier," said the officer. Chaura's status in the US is a mystery as a Punjab Police dossier mentions he had been arrested in the US earlier too, said the officer. In April 2023, Pavittar (30), a resident of Chaura village in Gurdaspur district, was arrested along with an associate in connection with a Dec 2022 shooting in Woodland, US, according to the dossier. The officer said they believe Chaura got bail in the earlier case. Pavittar, according to the dossier, travelled to Singapore on a student visa on Nov 8, 2016, and then left for the US. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Global Indices Are on the Move — Time to Trade! IC Markets Learn More Undo "He, most likely, went through illegal means," said the officer. According to the officer, in 2023, Pavittar and his associate Husandeep Singh were arrested on charges of attempted murder and criminal conspiracy, as part of a multi-agency crackdown against violent incidents in the US, in what was called 'Operation Broken Sword'. According to the dossier, between Oct 2013 and Nov 2023, Pavittar was named in 12 FIRs registered at police stations in Punjab — including two for murder, five for attempted murder, and others under the Arms Act and at least one under the NDPS Act. The dossier mentioned him as an accused in a case of cheating and another under the Passport Act and the Prisons Act in an FIR registered in Dec 2022 at state special operation cell (SSOC), Amritsar. Pavittar "has been living in California, USA, for the last few years", reads the dossier. An open-dated warrant of arrest, a lookout circular (LoC), and a red-corner notice had been issued against Pavittar before July 11. The dossier reads: "He is also having links with banned militant groups such as Babbar Khalsa International." Another Punjab Police officer said Pavittar and his gang now faced charges of kidnapping for ransom, torture, and possessing illegal weapons in the US. The crimes carry life sentences. "When abroad, Pavittar continued to operate a criminal network in Punjab through local associates. He is believed to have been involved in extortions, targeted killings, and other illegal activities," the dossier said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
‘Animals with no regard for life': 8 Indian-origin men held in US for kidnapping, torture, extortion; FBI links gang to murders in India
Authorities in California and the FBI are investigating eight Indian-origin suspects arrested in San Joaquin County for allegedly kidnapping and torturing a man as part of an international extortion scheme. The gang, led by Pavittar Singh, wanted in India for multiple murders, targeted Indian-Americans. JALANDHAR: Investigating the eight Indian-origin suspects arrested in San Joaquin County, California, on July 11, county authorities and FBI said the international Punjabi street gang kidnapped a local man, stripped him naked, and tortured him for hours as part of a brutal extortion racket that stretches from California'to murder plots in India. The authorities have urged Indian-Americas to report such extortion threats. Addressing a joint press conference, they revealed the gang leader, Pavittar Singh, was also wanted in India for multiple murders and firearms offences, including a killing in Batala, Punjab. FBI also cited earlier US arrests of Indian gang leaders: Gurdev 'Jassal' Singh (RPG attacks), Harpreet Singh, also known as Happy Passia, Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol , linked to the murder of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, and others. 8 Indian-origin suspects face life in jail without bail Eight suspects, led by Pavittar, now face charges of kidnapping for ransom, torture and illegal weapons that carry life sentences. A multi-agency SWAT sweep on July 11 had netted machine guns, an assault rifle, and $15,000 cash stashed in a ceiling vent. Sheriff Patrick Withrow said they were tipped off on June 21 about a horrendous crime that occurred on June 19 in the Manteca area. They contacted the victim and, on July 11, their AGNET Unit — alongside SWAT teams from FBI, Stockton police, Manteca police and Stanislaus County sheriff's office — executed five coordinated search warrants across the county and arrested the suspects. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Withrow said the purpose of the torture was to extract names of other potential extortion targets in the Indian-American business community. Elaborating on the federal and international angle, Sid Patel from FBISacramento field office said Pavittar was wanted in India for firearm violations, assault and multiple murders abroad. He revealed six of the eight suspects were picked up by ICE ERO for immigration proceedings, and FBI was coordinating with India and Canada on extradition after US sentences. San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas told the press conference that they filed two complaints charging the eight men with serious gang-related crimes, including kidnapping, torture, extortion, witness intimidation, and multiple weapon violations. They said the suspects faced life in prison, with no bail and no exceptions. Apart from Pavitar, other members of the gang included Dilpreet Singh, Sarbjit Singh, Gurtaj Singh, Amritpall Singh, Vishal Singh, Arshpreet Singh, and Manpreet Randhawa. According to the sheriff and FBI, the gang operations included extortion of Indian-American business owners, forced free labour, violent truck cargo hijackings along Central Valley, weapons and drug trafficking, and international political violence (RPG attacks, assassinations, grenade assaults on police stations in India). Each of the accused faces a life-in-prison baseline for kidnapping for ransom, along with firearm and gang enhancements that could push to life without parole. The sheriff even said, "Suspects are animals with little or no regard for human life." Announcing the setting up of an anonymous tip line specifically for this case, the sheriff urged Indian-American residents to report extortion and intimidation attempts. "Help us hunt the rest of this gang — call us."
