Summary US prosecutors say 24 suspects linked to Indian organised crime groups have been arrested across North America and Europe in a multinational investigation into transnational crimes.
WASHINGTON (Dunya News) – Law enforcement authorities in the United States, Canada and Europe have arrested 24 suspects allegedly linked to organised criminal groups operating from India as part of a multinational investigation into transnational crime, according to US prosecutors.
The investigation focuses on alleged activities involving organised crime groups, including the Bishnoi gang and two other India-based criminal organisations. Prosecutors allege the suspects were involved in offences including extortion, drug trafficking and other cross-border criminal activities.
According to US federal prosecutors, some of the accused are also alleged to have played a role in planning the 2023 killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The allegations form part of an ongoing investigation, and the charges remain subject to court proceedings.
Officials said the arrests were carried out under a joint international law enforcement operation known as Operation Hardball, involving agencies from the United States, Canada and several European countries.
US prosecutors further alleged that the criminal networks have been engaged in organised crime activities, including extortion, targeted violence and narcotics trafficking across multiple countries.
Separately, US authorities accused Gurvinder Jeet Singh Nagra, identified as a police station house officer (SHO) in Tanda, Punjab, India, of assisting gang members in an alleged extortion scheme targeting a family in the United States. According to prosecutors, the victims were threatened that false murder cases would be registered against their relatives in India if demands were not met.
The investigation comes amid increasing international scrutiny of alleged transnational criminal activities linked to India. Authorities in several countries have intensified cooperation to investigate organised crime, extortion and allegations of cross-border violence.
The case remains under investigation, and prosecutors have not announced trial dates. The accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
