NIA nabs Lawrence Bishnoi's key aide

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate who allegedly managed a fake passport racket enabling gang members to flee India and evade law enforcement.

The arrested accused, identified as Rahul Sarkar, was reportedly in charge of the gang’s “passport module” and played a crucial role in arranging forged travel documents for criminals linked to the Bishnoi network.

He was remanded to NIA custody on Thursday by the agency’s Special Court at Patiala House in New Delhi.

According to the NIA, Sarkar had facilitated the escape of several high-profile gang members using counterfeit passports. Among them was Sachin Thapan, also known as Sachin Thapan Bishnoi, a prime accused in the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. Thapan had fled the country using documents allegedly arranged by Sarkar.

The arrest comes as part of an ongoing investigation in a case which was registered in August 2022 following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The case centres on a broader conspiracy by criminal gangs to raise funds, recruit youth, and execute violent and criminal operations both in India and abroad.

The investigation is being conducted under Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with Sections 17, 18, and 18-B of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The NIA stated that further questioning of Sarkar will help uncover the full extent of the fake passport network and may lead to more arrests in the days ahead.

According to the officials, the agency is intensifying its efforts to cut off logistical support systems that allow wanted criminals to escape justice through international channels.