Gurgaon: A rivalry with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has allegedly fuelled the revival of a parallel criminal network operating in the name of slain gangster Devender Bambiha, officers of Haryana STF said.The network has allegedly brought together old associates, family members and recruits, with some key operatives coordinating activities from abroad. Its targets include toll operators, hotel owners, property dealers, bar operators, liquor contractors, car showroom owners and financiers across Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi-NCR.During a bail hearing for Neetu (25), wife of Gaurav alias Gori, an associate of gangster Kaushal Chaudhary, the prosecution detailed the gang’s alleged modus operandi and organisational structure. In an order dated Oct 14, sessions judge Narender Sura granted her bail.According to the agency, those allegedly involved in the network include Himanshu Bhau and Sahil Ritholi of Rohtak, Bibi Kadyan, Neeraj Pandit of Faridpur in Faridabad, and Chaudhary of Gurgaon, who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case. Saurabh Gadoli, Chand Ram alias Chande and Amit Dagar are named among the trusted associates. The prosecution cited criminal cases against several of them.The prosecution alleged that the gang uses intermediaries to make threat calls to businessmen and collect money. Those who refuse to pay despite repeated calls are targeted, with shots fired at their shops or offices. To intensify the pressure, the gang allegedly circulates videos of shootings, CCTV footage and media coverage of the incidents. The money is then distributed among gang members and their families.Investigators cited extortion-related firing incidents at Matru Ram Halwai and a Mahindra showroom in Hisar, and at a mobile shop in Palwal. They also referred to the murder of financier Manjeet.The agency said young people active on social media are lured with promises of money and opportunities abroad, then allegedly used as sleeper cells for shootings, weapons trafficking and drug smuggling. Some members fled abroad on passports obtained through forged documents. The prosecution referred to rewards, a Red Corner Notice and extradition proceedings against some of the accused.The structure allegedly allows senior members to stay removed from the execution of crimes, which local recruits and intermediaries carry out on the ground. “Some foreign-made weapons had been used in earlier sensitive incidents,” said the officer. Members allegedly stay in touch through different social media platforms, though the prosecution’s account does not specify which platforms or establish a single central command for every incident attributed to the gang.Extortion proceeds are routed through bank accounts of gang members and their acquaintances, and through hawala channels. Neetu was arrested by the agency last month after the money was traced to her account. Businessman Tarun Rathor told investigators he transferred money to her after being threatened by Gori. The bank statement cited by the prosecution allegedly showed around Rs 72,000 transferred to her through PhonePe or Paytm, while another Rs 1 lakh was paid in cash.The court, however, drew a distinction while granting bail. It noted that the prosecution had not alleged that Neetu made extortion calls, threatened victims, took part in shootings, arranged shooters, possessed weapons or was present at any crime scene. No recovery was made from her. The judge observed that the allegation against her centred on receiving money, and that her knowledge of its alleged criminal origins remained a matter for trial.Davinder Singh Sidhu, better known as Devender Bambiha, was a gangster from Bambiha Bhai village in Punjab’s Moga district. A kabaddi player and college student, he entered the criminal world after being named in a murder case in 2010. He was accused in several cases of murder, attempted murder, extortion and robbery, and was killed in an encounter near Gill Kalan village in Bathinda district on Sept 9, 2016. His associates continued to operate under his name, and the gang became linked to a wider criminal network and the bitter rivalry with the Bishnoi gang.
