Ludhiana Police Dismantle Key Recruitment Arm of Notorious Goldy Brar Extortion Syndicate
In a significant breakthrough, Ludhiana police have successfully dismantled a primary recruitment arm of the infamous Goldy Brar extortion syndicate. This operation culminated in the arrest of a 22-year-old operative, Vikramjit Singh of Noorwala Road, who had been on the run for months. Singh has been identified as a pivotal middleman, bridging the dangerous gap between high-level gangsters and street-level enforcers.
Radicalization and Recruitment of Local Youth
Investigations have revealed that Vikramjit Singh specifically targeted young boys for recruitment. His method involved radicalizing these youths and deploying them to carry out drive-by shootings at the homes of prominent traders and businessmen across Punjab. The objective was clear: to intimidate these individuals into paying protection money, thereby fueling the syndicate's extortion racket.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation) Harpal Singh confirmed the arrest, stating, "Vikramjit, wanted in this case, has been arrested. The cops are now working to track the remaining two accused." This arrest marks a critical step in a broader crackdown that began in January with a joint operation involving counter-intelligence units. To date, more than 10 arrests have been made in connection with this syndicate.
From Jail Radicalization to Organized Crime
The suspect's descent into the upper echelons of organized crime reportedly began within the confines of Ludhiana Central Jail. Vikramjit Singh, who was previously booked for a local firing incident in March 2024, made contact with Rajasthan-based gangster Virendra Charan while incarcerated. This connection proved fateful, as Charan introduced him to Canada-based criminal mastermind Goldy Brar.
Police officials note that Charan recently shifted allegiances from gangster Rohit Godara to Brar, focusing efforts on expanding extortion networks through local "talent scouts" like Vikramjit Singh and his associate, Naresh Sethi. This jail-based radicalization highlights the syndicate's sophisticated ability to recruit and coordinate from behind bars.
Seizure of Sophisticated Firearms
The crackdown has yielded substantial results, with the recovery of 12 illegal, sophisticated firearms. This haul underscores the gang's high-level logistics and operational capabilities. The seized weapons include:
- Two 9mm Glock pistols
- One Zigana pistol
- Nine additional high-caliber handguns
Police intelligence indicates that these weapons were funneled into the city through a dual supply chain. Some were provided by Virendra Charan, while others were arranged by Mukul Mattu, a career criminal currently serving time in Ludhiana's Central Jail. Mattu was recently brought out on a production warrant to face new charges related to the supply of these arms.
Ongoing Hunt and Syndicate Reach
While Vikramjit Singh's arrest represents a major victory for local law enforcement, the hunt continues for two other suspects: Rajan Sidhu and Sandeep, who remain at large. The syndicate's extensive reach is evident from previous arrests, which included inmates from Ferozepur and Ludhiana jails. This demonstrates the group's alarming ability to coordinate sophisticated criminal operations from behind bars, posing a persistent threat to public safety.
The dismantling of this recruitment arm is a crucial blow to the Goldy Brar syndicate, but authorities emphasize that vigilance and continued operations are essential to fully neutralize this organized crime network.
