In a significant development in a high-profile extortion case, the Ludhiana Police have brought a key inmate from a Ferozepur prison to the city for intensive interrogation. This move follows a brazen early-morning shooting at a garment trader's shop, an act investigators are convinced is the handiwork of an international extortion racket.
From Prison to Court: The Key Lieutenant's Transfer
The inmate, identified as Shubham Grover, is described by authorities as a crucial lieutenant of the notorious Canada-based gangster, Goldy Brar. Grover was transported to Ludhiana on a production warrant. After appearing before a court, he has been formally remanded in police custody until January 11. The focus of the investigation is the terrifying attack that occurred on January 6 in Ludhiana's Civil City area.
In that incident, three masked assailants stormed the shop owned by businessman Himanshu Handa and opened fire. Police assert this was a violent act of retaliation after Handa refused to comply with a massive extortion demand of Rs 50 lakh. The central question for investigators is whether Shubham Grover orchestrated this hit from inside the prison on direct orders from Goldy Brar.
Busting the Extortion Cell and Establishing Links
Grover's arrest and questioning are a direct outcome of a major joint operation in mid-December. The Ludhiana Police, along with Counter-Intelligence units, successfully dismantled a fledgling extortion cell during this operation. It led to the arrest of two local youths and the booking of eight other individuals.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation) Harpal Singh stated that Grover will be questioned to establish if businessman Himanshu Handa was a specific target of the recently busted racket. The police are also probing Grover's potential connection to several other outstanding extortion threats in the Punjab region.
The police investigation has revealed that Shubham Grover acts as the primary conduit for Goldy Brar within the Punjab prison system. From behind bars, he allegedly manages the recruitment and tasking of local youths to carry out criminal acts.
Jail-to-Street Operations and Future Raids
Evidence suggests Grover's operational control extends far beyond his cell. Two previously arrested aides, Jatin and Jaspreet Singh, reportedly confessed to a botched assassination attempt in Amritsar where their weapon jammed, forcing them to abort the mission. Authorities believe Grover maintains direct communication with Goldy Brar to identify wealthy targets, including traders and industrialists, for extortion.
As the January 11 custody deadline approaches, the Ludhiana Police are preparing to act swiftly on any information extracted from Grover. They are expected to conduct further raids based on his testimony to apprehend the three masked gunmen who are still at large. This case highlights the ongoing challenge of tackling organized crime networks that operate across international borders and from within prison walls.
