Chandigarh- The Punjab Police have dismantled a major extortion racket linked to US-based gangster Gurdev Jassal with the arrest of two operatives, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Sunday.
One of the arrested operatives has been identified as Ankus Maini, a resident of Gurdaspur district.
According to the preliminary investigation, Jassal’s associates opened fire at a Kalanaur-based businessman’s petrol pump on February 4 to intimidate him. After repeated threats and a demand for ₹1 crore in extortion money, the businessman eventually paid ₹50 lakh on February 11, the DGP stated.
The investigation revealed that Jassal’s gang used foreign numbers for threats and routed the extortion money through multiple intermediaries. ASI Surjit Singh and Ankus Maini were found involved in collecting and distributing the money.
DGP Yadav confirmed that ASI Surjit Singh has been dismissed from service under Article 311(2) of the Constitution. Further investigations are underway to trace more links in the case.
Providing details, Senior Superintendent of Police (Batala) Suhail Qasim Mir said that intelligence inputs had indicated a local police officer’s involvement in handling extortion money. Acting on the tip-off, police launched an operation that led to ASI Surjit Singh’s arrest. Upon interrogation, Singh admitted to hiding a large sum at his residence in Harnam Nagar, Batala. A police team recovered ₹76.32 lakh in cash from a concealed compartment in his house.
Following his arrest, ASI Singh claimed the money was sent by his son from the US. However, a technical investigation tracked down the person who had handed over the cash, leading to the arrest of Ankus Maini. During interrogation, Maini revealed that the amount he gave to ASI Singh was extortion money collected by Jassal’s gang.
Police have also recovered ₹5.91 lakh in cash, a .32 bore pistol with two cartridges, and impounded a black Mahindra Scorpio from Ankus’ possession.
Authorities are continuing efforts to trace further connections in the extortion network.
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