Gurgaon: An 18-month pursuit across international borders ended on Thursday with Haryana STF securing the extradition of Vainket Garg (29), a close aide of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, from Georgia. The agency described it as one of its toughest extradition operations so far, involving complex legal proceedings and diplomatic coordination in the absence of an extradition treaty between the two countries.
Officials said the extradition process began when Garg fled India while on bail and allegedly continued directing criminal activities from abroad.
“It involved enormous paperwork, verification and legal procedures because there is no extradition treaty with Georgia. This was among the toughest extraditions carried out by Haryana STF in recent years,” a senior STF officer said.
According to STF chief B Satheesh Balan, SP Waseem Akram spearheaded the effort, presenting detailed evidence of Garg’s criminal history and pending cases before Georgian authorities. After exhausting all legal remedies available to him, Garg was finally extradited to India.
Originally from Naraingarh in Ambala district, Garg was no ordinary fugitive. Despite holding BCom and MCom degrees, he allegedly built a criminal network spanning Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi. STF records show 34 criminal cases against him, including allegations of murder, attempted murder, extortion, organised crime, targeted killings and illegal use of firearms. Officials said Garg came in contact with Bishnoi in 2017 and later developed links with several other organised crime syndicates led by Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu, Himanshu Bhau, Randeep Malik, Ravi Rathi alias Bhagpat and Rohit Godara.
According to STF, Garg already faced 23 criminal cases when he left India through Delhi airport on Dec 10, 2024, while out on bail. Police later found that he had obtained a tatkal passport using a fake Gurgaon address before flying to the UAE and subsequently reaching Georgia on Jan 26, 2025.
A criminal case was registered in Naraingarh over the alleged use of forged information for obtaining the passport. The document was later revoked on Feb 4, 2025.
Before reaching Georgia, Garg allegedly explored the “donkey route” to enter the US. Sources said he paid around Rs 17 lakh to various agencies for the journey. However, plans to travel through South America collapsed after he suffered serious injuries in a rival gang attack in Ambala in 2024. Tightened immigration controls and a crackdown on illegal border crossings in the US further narrowed his options.
Facing pressure from both law enforcement agencies and rival gangs, Garg eventually sought asylum in Georgia, claiming his life would be at risk if he returned to India. STF officials countered the claim, pointing out before Georgian authorities that those accused in the attack on him had already been arrested.
During his stay in Georgia, Garg allegedly moved between Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi and Zugdidi while attempting to evade detection. He was eventually arrested in Batumi in Sept last year.
STF officials said he challenged efforts to get him back to India and pursued legal remedies, including an asylum plea. Both failed.
According to STF, even while abroad, Garg remained active in organised crime. He allegedly continued operating his network through associates and maintained contacts in countries, including the US and Portugal. Among major crimes linked to his syndicate are the murder of senior BSP functionary Harbilas in Ambala and multiple extortion-linked firing incidents across Haryana.
STF also alleged that while in Georgia, Garg orchestrated the killing of a nephew of notorious gangster Manjit Mahal in Delhi’s Bawana in Jan last year.
To secure his return, STF initiated a series of legal measures, including lookout circulars, an Interpol Red Corner notice, proclamation proceedings and multiple arrest warrants.
“Information about his presence in Georgia was received through international law enforcement channels, following which extradition proceedings were initiated. The operation was made possible through coordinated efforts involving the ministry of external affairs, NCB in New Delhi and Indian diplomatic missions,” an officer said.
As there are no direct flights between Georgia and India, Kazakhstan facilitated Garg’s transit.
His return marks the 10th extradition or deportation secured by Haryana STF this year. More importantly, officials said, his questioning could provide crucial leads into the workings of several interstate criminal networks that continued operating even after one of their key figures fled the country.
