The Bhagwant Mann government has sent an unmistakable message to gangsters that no matter where they flee or hide anywhere in the world, they will be brought back to face justice, with Punjab Police bringing back 17 gangsters from foreign countries in just six months, something previous governments failed to achieve in decades. Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that under the unprecedented ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign, Punjab Police has conducted 1.61 lakh raids and arrested 2,162 proclaimed offenders, while the latest breakthrough was the deportation of Gurwinder Singh alias Afridi from Ethiopia, who carried a ₹5 lakh reward and faces over 30 criminal cases.
The senior AAP leader said that gangsters created and nurtured during the Akali-BJP regime and allowed to flourish under the Congress are now being brought to justice, asserting that the Bhagwant Mann government is determined to make Punjab gangster-free and will present strong evidence in courts to secure convictions.
Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader and Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “Under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab has waged an unprecedented war against gangsterism and anti-social elements. Punjab Police has achieved major breakthroughs in tracking down and arresting proclaimed offenders, including several gangsters who had fled abroad to evade the law. Between January 20 and November 7, 2026, Punjab Police conducted 1,61,266 raids and arrested approximately 2,162 proclaimed offenders.”
The senior AAP leader, “The anti-gangster campaign was launched immediately after the AAP government came to power in Punjab. Our government has given a clear mandate to Punjab Police to take decisive action against every gangster and criminal element, irrespective of where they are operating from.”
He said, “Punjab Police has successfully brought several gangsters back to India from different countries. These include Ramanjit Singh Romi from Hong Kong, Amrit Singh from the Maldives, Prabhpreet Singh from Germany, Parminder Singh Pindi from the UAE, Sajjan Mahesh and Sukhdev Kumar Manish Baidi from Indonesia, Ajay Singh, Pawandeep Singh and Jaspreet Singh from Malaysia, and Karmbir Singh Deol from Canada. These operations demonstrate the determination and capabilities of our police force in pursuing criminals beyond geographical boundaries.”
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“Another major breakthrough was achieved on November 7, 2026, when Punjab Police successfully brought Gurwinder Singh alias Afridi back from Ethiopia. Afridi faces more than 30 criminal cases, headed a gang and carried a reward of up to ₹5 lakh. He had procured a fake passport in Uttar Pradesh, subsequently travelled to the UAE and then moved to Ethiopia. Punjab Police successfully secured his deportation and brought him back to India to face the law,” he said.
Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “Gurwinder Singh alias Afridi is involved in several serious criminal cases registered in Punjab, including the murders of Sarpanch Rajwinder Singh, 12-year-old Gursewak Singh, Vicky Chugh, Jaswant Singh and Congress block president Gurmail Singh. Our government is committed to ensuring that every criminal involved in such heinous offences is brought to justice.
He asked, “How did a gangster like Gurwinder Singh alias Afridi manage to procure a fake passport in Uttar Pradesh, a state governed by the BJP? The BJP must answer how such criminals are able to operate from states where its governments are in power. The BJP is using gangsters to intimidate people and disrupt law and order in states governed by opposition parties.”
Harpal Singh Cheema pointed out, “Questions must also be raised about gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is lodged in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail. Gangsters are being provided protection and used to issue threat calls to intimidate political opponents in opposition-ruled states. The BJP’s patronage of such elements is part of a larger attempt to destabilise elected governments and create an atmosphere of fear.”
The senior AAP leader affirmed, “These gangsters were created and nurtured during the Akali-BJP rule and allowed to flourish under the Congress. The Bhagwant Mann government is now taking decisive action against all of them. Punjab Police has demonstrated its resolve by bringing gangsters back from different parts of the world.”
Harpal Singh Cheema asserted, “Our government will present strong evidence against these criminals in courts and ensure that they receive appropriate punishment. Our objective is clear: to make Punjab a gangster-free state. The Bhagwant Mann government will not allow anyone to threaten the peace and security of Punjab.”
