First Europe extradition signals new era in Punjab’s war on gangsters : Aman Arora

Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Saturday said the extradition of a wanted gangster from Europe marks a new chapter in Punjab’s fight against organized crime, highlighting the Bhagwant Mann government’s commitment to pursuing criminals beyond national borders.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Arora said previous governments had allowed gangsterism to flourish in the state, while the current administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against gangsters and drug traffickers.

Drawing a comparison with the past, Arora recalled how gangsterism had become a major political issue during the Akali Dal-BJP and Congress regimes. Referring to debates in the 2021 Punjab Vidhan Sabha Budget Session, he said political leaders openly accused one another of having links with notorious gangsters, including Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.

“While earlier governments debated over whose gangster was operating in Punjab, the Bhagwant Mann government is ensuring that such criminals are brought back from foreign countries to face the law,” Arora said.

Minister highlighted the achievements of the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC), established on January 20, 2026, to identify, trace and extradite fugitives hiding abroad. He said the special unit has successfully secured the deportation or extradition of 10 wanted criminals within seven months and has submitted 21 more extradition proposals to the Central Government.

Arora said many gangsters and organized crime operatives shifted their bases overseas as Punjab Police intensified its crackdown. However, he stressed that the government is determined to ensure that no criminal sitting abroad can threaten Punjab’s peace and security through extortion, drug trafficking or other illegal activities.

He said OFTEC works in close coordination with Punjab Police, the Bureau of Investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Interpol, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs, local police authorities and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to track and bring fugitives back to India.

“The objective is clear—identify, trace and ensure that these criminals are brought to justice,” Arora said, adding that the government will continue its aggressive campaign against gangsterism and organized crime in Punjab.