GURUGRAM: After making a splash within the liquor commerce, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has adopted a handbook that has helped erstwhile gangsters thrive within the metropolis for years — extortion.
Trying to increase operations within the metropolis, the place a sustained police crackdown over time had damaged the again of organised crime, Lawrence gang members have over the previous month made at the very least two dozen extortion calls to merchants and enterprise from Pataudi and different elements of Gurgaon, in keeping with sources.
Most of those extortion calls, nevertheless, have remained unreported because the merchants haven’t approached cops with a grievance. Just one FIR has been filed until now.
Earlier this month, the gang had allegedly made an extortion name to a liquor dealer in Pataudi and orchestrated firing exterior his home when he refused to pay.
Businessmen, who had heaved a sigh of aid after a vacuum had been created on this planet of organised crime with the arrest of infamous gangster Kaushal, are as soon as once more anxious if the subsequent name from the Lawrence gang would land on their telephones.
Cash from the liquor commerce and extortion has at all times helped gangs thrive within the metropolis. After gangster Sandeep Gadoli was shot in an encounter and Binder Gujjar was arrested, Kaushal emerged as the subsequent dreaded don. Between 2017 and 2019, many businessmen, jewellers and docs had complained about calls from the Kaushal gang. Even politicians weren’t spared. Kaushal was accused of plotting the homicide of Congress’s Vikas Chaudhary in 2019.
Later that yr, Kaushal was arrested from Dubai. Although organised crime remained subdued for a number of weeks, Kaushal’s aide, Sube Gujjar, emerged as the subsequent feared gangster. He allegedly orchestrated a number of murders and made extortion calls to businessmen earlier than being nabbed in Might final yr by the particular job pressure.
For the subsequent yr and a half, there have been hardly any studies of extortion. However businessmen within the metropolis are anxious once more.
“All the pieces was peaceable. However now that the Lawrence gang is more and more changing into energetic, it's a trigger for concern for us,” mentioned a dealer, requesting to not be named for concern of being arrested.
Lawrence, who's lodged in a Jodhpur jail, is believed to function from there. He was energetic in Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi earlier than deciding to increase his operations in Gurgaon. At loggerheads with Kaushal, Lawrence had allegedly killed two liquor merchants in Pataudi believed to be near his rival. His gang members had additionally made an extortion name to a former chairperson of the Pataudi civic physique. When he refused to pay, the gang members allegedly opened hearth exterior his home.
A candy store proprietor and a scrap vendor acquired an extortion name from the Lawrance gang final week. “Extortion is the lifeline for any gang right here. To function a gang and command loyalty from its members, gangsters depend on extortion cash,” mentioned a senior police officer who has for lengthy been related to the investigation of instances associated to gangsters.
In line with him, the Lawrence gang would perform extortions to increase his affect and convey extra individuals underneath him.
However Gurgaon police is hopeful of tackling the brand new menace. “We have now nabbed so many gangsters. Our groups have already began their work,” a police officer mentioned.
Particular cell for narcotics, organised crime
Gurgaon: Police have arrange a particular cell to give attention to narcotics, unlawful weapons and organised crimes. The cell may even keep watch over the actions of felony gangs and gangsters and can work on prevention of crime and speedy arrest of criminals. The group received’t be concerned in routine policing work.
It was shaped on April 12 with inspector Bijender Hooda because the officer first in-charge. Hooda, who has labored within the crime department and headed completely different crime models of Gurgaon, has headed the profitable seize of a number of criminals, police mentioned. He was additionally a part of the group concerned in bringing gangster Kaushal from Dubai.
DCP (headquarts) Astha Modi mentioned the particular cell can have the mandate to work on organised crimes, gangs, gangsters, smuggling of unlawful weapons and narcotics, and different related crimes. The group may even deal with massive crimes as and when required. “The cell has been given 15 personnel,” the DCP mentioned.
In line with police, crimes associated to provide of narcotics and unlawful arms have risen prior to now few years. Incidents of theft at gunpoint have additionally elevated. Medication are being smuggled to Gurgaon from Delhi, West Bengal, Gujarat and Rajasthan, an officer mentioned.