Chandigarh: Comparing the current situation in Punjab with the era when Akali and Congress leaders used to level allegations against each other inside the Assembly over gangsters, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora today said that this first deportation of a gangster from Europe is a testimony to the tough stance of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government against gangsterism. He said that during the previous SAD-BJP and Congress governments, gangsterism had increased to such an extent that in the budget session of 2021, leaders were openly debating on 'whose man' was Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. On the contrary, the AAP government has pursued such fugitives across the borders and ensured that they are brought before the law.
Resolve to end drug addiction and gangsterism
AAP Punjab chief said that the Mann government has left no stone unturned to eliminate drugs and gangsterism from Punjab. The government will not allow such elements to run their illegal business either from Punjab soil or abroad. He said that the 'Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell' (OFTEC), established on January 20, 2026, has succeeded in bringing back 10 wanted fugitives to India through deportation or extradition in just seven months, while 21 other extradition proposals are pending with the Central Government.
Aman Arora's address in press conference
Addressing the press conference held at Punjab Bhawan, Aman Arora said that after coming to power, the Bhagwant Mann government had resolved to fight decisively against drugs and gangsters. He said, “During the tenure of the Bhagwant Mann government, it has been our resolve that no stone will be left unturned to eliminate drugs and gangsters from Punjab. We believe that these are the same elements which were allowed to flourish by the previous governments, be it the decade-long rule of the Akali Dal-BJP or the five-year tenure of the Congress.”
Issue of gangsterism in assembly
Amrin Arora said that during the rule of previous governments, the situation had reached such a level that gangsterism had become a big issue even within the Punjab Assembly. He said that if we look at the Assembly records of the budget session of the year 2021, it becomes clear that the morale of the gangsters was so high that discussions regarding them were being held even within the House.
Citing records of 2021 budget session
Citing the records of the 2021 JAT session, Aman Arora said that Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia had accused each other over the alleged links of political leaders with gangsters. He said that Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on one side and Bikram Singh Majithia on the other side were arguing on record that “Jaggu Bhagwanpuria is your product” and “No, this gangster is your product.” He said that such debates were taking place inside the House of Punjab Assembly, which exposed the degradation of Punjab politics.
Remembrance of martyrdom of police personnel
The Cabinet Minister also recalled the incident in which a police personnel lost his life while protecting his daughter. He said that that was also a time when a police employee was trying to save the honor of his daughter and he was shot in the chest. He said that Punjab has now come out of those circumstances and today people's morale and faith in the government and police is completely intact. He said that since the day the present government came to power, efforts have been made to ensure that such elements are not allowed to conduct illegal activities on the soil of Punjab.
Fugitive gangsters fleeing abroad
AAP Punjab chief said that when Punjab Police intensified action against such elements, many fugitives, dangerous criminals and gangsters fled abroad. He said that whenever any incident occurs, an attempt is made to commit a crime or a ransom call is received, the strings of such activities are often found to be linked to foreign soil or other states.
Formation and objectives of OFTEC
He said that the objective of the 'AAP' government is to ensure that criminals sitting abroad cannot disturb the peace, security and harmony of Punjab. For this purpose, Punjab Police constituted the Special Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) on 20 January 2026 on the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Aman Arora said that since its formation, the special objective of this cell has been to identify such elements, trace their footprints, locate them and ultimately ensure that they are punished for their crimes by taking them to jail.
OFTEC's seven months of success
He said that this cell has achieved great success in just seven months by coordinating with the concerned agencies at various levels. He said OFTEC is continuously coordinating with various agencies including State Bureau of Investigation, CBI, Interpol, Home Ministry, local police, Ministry of External Affairs and National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Action against crimes originating from abroad
Aman Arora said that this coordination is especially important in cases where a crime or attempt to commit a crime in Punjab has originated from abroad. If a complaint is received that an attempt is being made to commit a crime in Punjab, but it has originated from a foreign country, this cell works by connecting various links to reach the person behind it.
10 fugitives returned, 21 proposals pending
Congratulating Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Punjab Police for the success of OFTEC, the Minister said that so far 10 wanted criminals have been brought back to India through deportation or extradition, while 21 proposals for extradition are under consideration with the Central Government. He said that under the extradition process, proposals are sent to the Central Government by the State Police, after which the Central Government, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, takes forward the process of bringing back the fugitives present abroad.
Handover of Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Dalam
These brought back criminals also include notorious gangster Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Dalam, against whom three serious cases are registered. He was brought back to India from Moldova on Saturday.
Withdrawal from Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE and America
The AAP Punjab President said that many other wanted gangsters have also been brought back from Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE and America. He informed that Ajay Singh alias Ajay and Pawandeep Singh, who were wanted in FIR No. 150, dated 27.10.2025, registered under BNS and Explosive Substances Act at Police Station Jodhewal, Ludhiana, were brought back from Malaysia on 19 August 2026.
List of other gangsters
Aman Arora said that Jaspreet Singh alias Jas Bahibal, who was wanted in three FIRs registered in Police Station City Kotkapura, Faridkot and Police Station Tapa, Barnala, was also brought back from Malaysia on 19 August 2026. Manjeet Singh and Gurvinder Singh, who were wanted in FIR No. 76 in Police Station Kotwali, Patiala, were brought back from Malaysia on 18 June 2026. Similarly, Jobanjit Billa, who was wanted in FIR No. 94, dated 24.05.2023, registered under IPC and Arms Act at Police Station Beas, Amritsar, was brought back from Indonesia on 24 July 2026.
Criminals brought from UAE and America
He informed that Amritpal Singh Mehron from UAE, who was wanted in two FIRs lodged in Amritsar and Barnala, was brought back on 10 April 2026. Bhuvnesh Chopra, who was wanted in seven FIRs lodged in Firozpur, Kharar, Fazilka and Patiala, was brought back from UAE on 12 March 2026. Kamal alias Kamal Athwal alias Kamalpreet Singh Billa, who was wanted in FIR No. 132 lodged at Police Station Machhiwada, Khanna, was brought back from the US on 24 March 2026.
Pursuit of fugitives hiding abroad
Aman Arora said that the Bhagwant Mann government and the Punjab Police are effectively pursuing the fugitives hiding in various countries and ensuring that those who are trying to vitiate the atmosphere of Punjab from abroad are brought back to face justice.
He said that it is the responsibility of the state government to stop crime in Punjab, but the central government also has an important role in dealing with gangsters sitting outside the state or operating from foreign countries.
Appeal to Center and other states
Appealing to the Central Government, BJP ruled states and Akali Dal, he said that the gangsters sitting in the jails of BJP ruled states or carrying out criminal activities from safe havens should also be effectively cracked down on.
National-International Criminal Network
AAP Punjab Pradhan said that these gangsters are operating not only at the local level but also national and international criminal networks. He said that there are hundreds and thousands of criminals working under such gangsters and they have the capability to target different states and countries through their activities. He said that if such criminals are in the custody of the Central Government or security agencies of various states, then it is necessary to keep effective surveillance on them and stop their criminal activities.
Action continues without agreement
Aman Arora reiterated that Punjab will continue its action against gangsters without any compromise.
He said that the Bhagwant Mann government and the Punjab Police will not allow such elements to spread in Punjab. He said that Punjab Police has sacrificed many of its soldiers to bring Punjab out of the dark era of terrorism and the present challenge is nothing before it. He said that due to technology the nature of organized crime has also changed. Today criminals are using encrypted messages and encrypted voice calls. Tracking such cases is not the sole responsibility of the state police, but requires a coordinated effort across central agencies and at the national level.
Congratulations on gangster return from Moldova
Congratulating Punjab Police for bringing back the Moldova based gangster to Punjab, Aman Arora said that this action reflects the success of the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the work being done by OFTEC.
appeal to citizens
Assuring the people of Punjab, Aman Arora appealed to the citizens that if they get any information regarding any criminal incident, attempt to commit crime or ransom call, then they should immediately inform the local police, so that the government and the police can take strict action in time.
assurance of peace and security
The AAP Punjab President assured the people of Punjab that the Bhagwant Mann government will continue to take decisive action against criminal networks and ensure protection of peace, security and social harmony of the state.