The case is part of Operation Hard Ball, an FBI-led crackdown on transnational organised crime that has so far resulted in 24 arrests and 37 criminal charges across the US, Canada and Europe.
According to the indictment, Singh worked with members of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria crime syndicate to target the Los Angeles family. Prosecutors say Gurlal Singh, an Indian national living illegally in Stockton, California, threatened a victim in the US in April 2026 and passed on the victim’s details to Singh.
That information was allegedly used to falsely accuse the victim, and the victim’s father and sister, of a January 2026 murder in India. Singh is then said to have used the fabricated case to demand $400,000 from the family in return for dropping the charges.
FBI announces three indictments charging 37 in an international organized crime operation based in India: “These criminal organizations have engaged in widespread violence including targeted killings, extortions and kidnappings.” pic.twitter.com/2oc9HR7vlm
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 7, 2026
First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli outlined the charges at a press conference in Los Angeles. “He extorted a family here in the US for $400,000,” he said.
Essayli added that he believed Singh had gone on to file murder charges against the family in India until the victim agreed to pay. “We have charged him and we will extradite him to the US,” he said.
Bigger Net Widens
Singh is one of several targets in the wider operation. US authorities also plan to seek the extradition of jailed gang leaders Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, both currently in Indian custody, according to Fox 11. A second fugitive believed to be in India is also being pursued.
Prosecutors describe the Bhagwanpuria syndicate as a global criminal network with links across India, North America, Europe and Oceania, built partly by corrupting police and government officials in India. The indictment states, “To expand its power, this group corrupted law enforcement officers in India and partnered with corrupt government officials, including to assist in extortion schemes.”
It adds, “The Bhagwanpuria group used this false information to target perceived rivals and individuals that members or associates believed were cooperating with law enforcement, often triggering baseless criminal proceedings and extortion plots by corrupt Indian law enforcement officers against perceived rivals.”
The syndicate was founded by Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, a jailed gangster from Punjab and a former associate of Lawrence Bishnoi turned rival. US authorities claim it has over 1,000 members and associates globally, including more than 100 in the US.
Punjab Police Moves Fast
Punjab Police responded on Wednesday, saying it had taken note of reports linking Singh to the FBI probe. He has been shifted from Tanda police station to Police Lines, Hoshiarpur, with immediate effect, pending verification.
Punjab Police has taken cognisance of news reports and social media posts referring to the alleged nomination of Inspector Gurinderjit Singh Nagra, presently posted as SHO, Police Station Tanda, District Hoshiarpur, in connection with an extortion-related investigation reportedly… pic.twitter.com/eK8CMGSIOa
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2026
A fact-finding inquiry has been ordered by the DIG, Jalandhar Range, and handed to the Superintendent of Police (Investigation), Jalandhar Rural, an IPS officer.
DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla said, “We too got to know of it from the FBI’s Los Angeles webpage. The SHO has been transferred to Police Lines. To ensure a fair probe, the inquiry has been marked outside Hoshiarpur. I have asked SP (D) Jalandhar Vineet Ahlawat to investigate the matter and report to the department as soon as possible.”
Political Fallout
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia said on X, “Just as the FBI sought the extradition of Goldy Brar, Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, a Punjab Police officer has now also come under the FBI’s scanner. The Punjab Police, once known for its reputation, has today become a symbol of global embarrassment.”
Congress MLA from Bholath, Sukhpal Khaira, said, “The filing of chargesheet against Punjab Police officer for extortion of US $4,00,000 has come as a big blot and question mark on the functioning of Punjab Police.”