Gurgaon: Haryana's special task force (STF) has struck a blow to foreign-based gang operations with the arrest of Mamta Rani, wife of Russia-based gangster Sachin, marking the first time the agency has extradited a woman accused of being part of an organised crime syndicate.
Background of the Case
Sachin is associated with gangsters Kartik Sharma, Monu Gurjar and Noni Rana alias Surya Pratap — key associates of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Mamta (26), originally from Karnal, was arrested at IGI Airport on Tuesday after being extradited from Russia, where she had fled to evade arrest in a case involving a conspiracy to murder a Yamunanagar businessman.
Legal Proceedings
The case stems from an FIR registered on March 15 at Chhapar police station in Yamunanagar under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to organised crime, along with Section 25(6) of the Arms Amendment Act, 2019. Mamta fled India on March 16.
The FIR was registered after STF Ambala busted a criminal conspiracy and arrested several gang members along with a large cache of illegal weapons. During the investigation, officers uncovered a plot to murder a car sales businessman. STF DSP Aman Kumar said the conspiracy was thwarted before it could be executed and several shooters involved in the plot were arrested.
Mamta's Role in the Gang
The probe subsequently revealed the involvement of Mamta, Sachin and Mamta’s brother. “They arranged logistics for the shooters, including providing a motorcycle and a safe location to conceal weapons meant to be used in the planned murder,” an officer said.
Investigators said Mamta handled finances and logistics for the gang headed by her husband, who has been operating from Russia for several years while maintaining links with gangsters in Haryana, Punjab and Delhi. She had previously stayed with Sachin in Russia before returning to India and residing in Kurukshetra, until she left the country again in March this year.
Personal Background
Police said Mamta and Sachin first met while studying at a college in Ladwa, Kurukshetra, and married four years ago. Sources said investigators tracked her location in Russia and coordinated with authorities there, also flagging that her visa was nearing expiry. She was eventually extradited after sustained follow-ups.
Sachin's Criminal Network
Sachin, investigators said, is an important overseas facilitator for a criminal network linked to some of north India’s most wanted gangsters. He fled India around three years ago after being booked in a criminal case, and his criminal profile expanded significantly during his time in Russia. Noni has helped Lawrence execute several hit jobs, and his extradition proceedings are currently under way.
Sachin’s importance within the network grew after Noni and Bhanu Rana were detained in the US last year. “Noni Rana is involved in major criminal cases across Haryana, Punjab and Delhi. After his detention, Sachin emerged as one of the key figures handling logistics and operational coordination for gang members while residing outside India,” an investigator said.
Significance of the Arrest
Officials described Mamta’s arrest as a significant breakthrough in the STF’s ongoing crackdown on foreign-based gangsters and their support systems, underlining the agency’s strategy of targeting not just gang leaders but also financiers, facilitators, family members and associates who help organised crime syndicates function from abroad.
The STF is now examining financial transactions, communication records and other evidence to identify additional network members and establish the extent of support provided to gang operatives in India.
