Jaipur: Bikaner police on Wednesday arrested a 20-year-old alleged operative of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, recovering two illegal pistols from his possession. Police stated that the accused was also wanted in a high-value extortion case and other serious offenses.
Arrest Details
Bikaner superintendent of police Mridul Kachhawa identified the accused as Durgesh Soni, a resident of Phad Bazar. Kachhawa told TOI that district police were tracking the movement of multiple gangs and their associates. Acting on credible intelligence, they intercepted and arrested Soni.
Extortion Case
Bikaner police revealed that Soni was wanted in a case involving a Rs 10 crore extortion demand from a businessman in Bhopal. The investigation uncovered links to three youths from Bikaner, two of whom have already been arrested. The third suspect, who was a minor at the time, has now turned an adult and remains under scrutiny.
Recovery of Weapons
Kachhawa confirmed that Soni was arrested with two illegal pistols. Police also noted that Madhya Pradesh Police had announced a reward of Rs 20,000 for his arrest. Investigators said that the extortion call demanding Rs 10 crore was made from Soni's mobile phone to the Bhopal-based businessman.
The two firearms recovered from Soni are illegal, and a separate case is being registered against him under relevant provisions of the BNS. Police are also mapping his network to trace the source of the weapons and identify those who supplied them.
Links to Gangs
Kachhawa stated that Soni has links with Lawrence Bishnoi and Harry Boxer and was allegedly operating in Bikaner at their direction. Officials said he will now be handed over to the Madhya Pradesh ATS and later produced before courts in Bikaner in connection with cases registered against him.
Other Offenses
Soni is also an accused in a murder case. Police believe that sustained interrogation will yield more information about the gang's operations in the region, including its extortion network and the supply chain of illegal weapons.
