Gangster’s WhatsApp calls from jail expose chinks in security

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 2

The claims of the police that gangster Rajiv Raja was operating from Nabha Central Jail where he was in touch with his gang members and was making WhatsApp calls has exposed chinks in the jail security system once again.

A day after the registration of case against four notorious criminals for hatching a conspiracy to free notorious criminal Rajiv Raja from the Nabha Central Jail, the police reportedly rounded up four of them. Although the police is mum about the development, a senior police official confirmed the arrest of four accused.

“We have rounded up four accused and they are being questioned. We have recovered illegal weapons, cash and other valuables from the gang members. Interrogation of the accused is on and more recovery of weapons, valuables could be made,” a senior police official told The Tribune.

“Gangster Raja will also be brought on production warrant from Nabha Central Jail. His interrogation will lead to complete busting of the network of gangsters in Punjab and other states,” the police said.

Notably, on Friday, the police Division No. 2 booked accused identified as Rajiv Kumar Raja, a resident of Tajganj Mohalla, Rajan Raja of New Azad Nagar, Gurvinder Singh Guri, alias Shera, of Fatehgarh Sahib, Sukhchain Singh Chaina of Brass village (Fatehgarh Sahib), Resham of Samrala Chowk and Vijay Kumar of Basti Jodhewal. They are members of the Rajiv Raja gang, who is in touch with them over phone.

At the behest of Raja, his gang members had been extorting money from big bookies and businessmen.

Sources said Raja had entered the crime world when he was a student of Class XII. Later, at the age of 28, Raja and his girl friend had killed a jeweller and his wife in Ludhiana and looted gold worth lakhs in 2006.

This is not the isolated case. Earlier, the STF had busted some drug rackets, which were being run from the jail premises.