Punjab Police on Saturday announced that fugitive criminal Amritpal Singh, alias Amrit Dalam, a key operative of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, had been extradited from the Republic of Moldova with the assistance of central agencies. The development was described as a significant breakthrough in the state’s efforts to track down gangsters who have been operating or hiding outside India to evade arrest and legal proceedings.
The police said Singh’s extradition followed a six-month international manhunt conducted under the code name Operation Eastern Reach. The operation was carried out through coordinated efforts involving the Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force, the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell, central agencies and international law-enforcement partners. The prolonged operation focused on tracing the accused and securing his return to India.
According to the police, cooperation between various agencies was central to the success of the operation. The Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell has been working to identify the locations of wanted criminals who flee abroad after allegedly becoming involved in serious offences. The latest operation involved coordination across jurisdictions before Singh was brought back from Moldova to face the cases registered against him in India.
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Amrit Dalam is wanted in several serious criminal cases, including allegations of murder and attempt to murder. The cases against him also include offences registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, the Arms Act and laws relating to narcotic offences. The police have not yet disclosed all details of the individual cases or the precise circumstances surrounding his detention and extradition.
Singh is identified by Punjab Police as an important operative of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, one of the organised criminal networks that authorities have been closely monitoring in the State. Punjab agencies have intensified action against gang members, associates and facilitators allegedly involved in violent crimes, extortion, arms smuggling and narcotics-related activities. The pursuit of fugitives based overseas has become an important part of these efforts.
The extradition is expected to allow Punjab Police to proceed with further investigation and legal action in the cases pending against Singh. It also highlights the increasing reliance on cooperation between State police forces, central agencies and foreign authorities to bring wanted accused persons back to India. Further information about his custody, the charges to be pursued and his production before the appropriate court is expected to emerge as the formal legal process begins.
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