Punjab Police Nabs Key Fugitive in Major Criminal Crackdown
In a significant breakthrough, Punjab Police have successfully arrested Bhuvnesh Chopra, also known as Ashish, a prime accused in the sensational triple murder case in Ferozepur and multiple high-profile narcotics trafficking operations. The arrest was made at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Thursday, following his deportation from a central Asian country.
International Manhunt Culminates in Arrest
According to Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, the arrest was the result of sustained international coordination. Authorities had issued a red corner notice (RCN) and a look-out circular (LoC) to track Chopra's movements. After extensive efforts, his location was traced to central Asia, leading to his deportation and subsequent apprehension upon arrival in India.
Chopra, classified as a category A gangster, had managed to escape abroad to evade law enforcement. He was a major facilitator in narcotics smuggling from Pakistan into Punjab, operating a cross-border network that involved the trafficking of heroin into the Ferozepur-Abohar belt. Beyond drug-related crimes, he was the prime conspirator behind the August 2024 triple murder in Ferozepur, which claimed the lives of a young girl and two others due to a rivalry with one of the victims, Dildeep Singh.
Charges and Criminal History
Bhuvnesh Chopra faces multiple FIRs under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:
- Section 302 (murder) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) for orchestrating the Ferozepur triple murder and the Ashu Monga killing.
- The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for managing a cross-border narcotics network.
- The Arms Act for supplying illegal weapons to local gangs in the Malwa region.
His criminal record includes a previous arrest in 2020 for the murder of Inderjit Singh Sidhu (alias Dhinda) in Kharar, where he and an accomplice fired 18 bullets at the victim in broad daylight. Law enforcement agencies have labeled him a "facilitator" for drug smuggling and have registered multiple cases against him in Fazilka and Ferozepur.
Role of Overseas Fugitive Tracking Unit
DGP Gaurav Yadav emphasized that Chopra's arrest is part of a sustained crackdown by Punjab Police on foreign-based handlers and fugitives who orchestrate criminal activities from abroad. The newly constituted Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) played a pivotal role in this operation, highlighting enhanced efforts to bring international criminals to justice.
Chopra had been operating from Canada and was alleged to have facilitated the triple murder by coordinating with local shooters. Indian authorities had initiated extradition proceedings to ensure he faces trial for his crimes.
This arrest marks a critical step in combating organized crime and drug trafficking in the region, demonstrating the effectiveness of international law enforcement collaboration.
