The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has publicly named Punjab Police officer Gurinderjit Singh Nagra in an alleged cross-border extortion case, accusing him of attempting to extort $400,000 (approximately Rs 3.3 crore) from an Indian-origin family residing in the United States. The FBI alleges that Nagra threatened to implicate the family in a fabricated murder case in India if the payment was not made.
Who is Gurinderjit Singh Nagra?
Gurinderjit Singh Nagra is a Punjab Police officer who was serving as the Station House Officer (SHO) of Tanda police station in Hoshiarpur district at the time the allegations surfaced. Following the FBI's disclosure, Punjab Police removed Nagra from his post and attached him to the Police Lines pending a departmental inquiry.
FBI Allegations and Investigation
According to information released by the FBI, Nagra allegedly targeted an Indian-origin family living in the United States. He reportedly threatened to register a false murder case against them in India unless they paid the demanded amount. The FBI has published details of the investigation on its Los Angeles platform and released a video explaining the allegations. The US agency has not indicated that the allegations have been proven in court, and the matter remains under investigation.
Punjab Police Response and Internal Probe
Punjab Police have initiated a departmental inquiry into the allegations. Naveen Singla, DIG of Jalandhar Range, stated, "As soon as we received information about the matter, the inquiry was transferred from Hoshiarpur to Jalandhar to ensure a fair and impartial investigation." The probe has been entrusted to Vineet Ahlawat, SP (Detective), Jalandhar, who has been asked to conduct a detailed investigation and submit a departmental report at the earliest.
Political Reactions
The development has drawn political attention. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said the allegations had tarnished the image of the Punjab Police. "Earlier, the FBI used to pursue gangsters like Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi. Now, a Punjab Police officer himself has come under the FBI's radar. Such incidents damage the international reputation of the Punjab Police," he remarked.
Murder Case Allegedly Used as Leverage
According to the FBI indictment, the alleged conspiracy stretched from Stockton, California, to Tanda in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district. The extortion plot was allegedly built around the murder of Balvinder Singh, owner of Satkartaar Hardware Shop in Miani village under Tanda. On January 15, 2026, three unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly opened fire at the shop, killing Balvinder Singh and injuring Lakhwinder Singh. An FIR was registered at Tanda police station under Sections 103 (murder) and 109 (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the Arms Act. A day later, according to the indictment, gangsters Jashal Chambal and Gurlal Rudiana claimed responsibility for the killing through a social media post.
Extortion Demand Details
The FBI alleges that on April 13, 2026, Nagra contacted the father of the intended target (identified in court documents as Victim 3) and threatened to implicate the entire family, including Victim 2 and his sister (Victim 4), in Balvinder Singh's murder. Three days later, on April 16, he allegedly demanded $400,000 (around Rs 3.3 crore), warning that if the payment was not made, all three family members would be formally named as accused in the murder case.
Punjab Police Unaware of FBI's Interest
Punjab Police have said they have no information on why the FBI has reportedly taken an interest in the Miani murder case. Davinder Singh, DSP of Tanda, stated, "We do not know why the FBI has taken up this matter. It is possible that the accused approached the FBI with the intention of protecting themselves from the consequences of the murder case registered against them." The Punjab Police maintain that the matter is under investigation.
