CHANDIGARH: An interstate extortion network allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has come under the scanner after police traced a cryptocurrency-driven money trail operating amid Jodhpur to Punjab. The investigation, triggered by the seizure of Rs 91 lakh in northern Rajasthan, has revealed a new and disturbing tactic where the gang allegedly uses non-criminals and unsuspecting common people as couriers to move extortion money, keeping hardened operatives safely in the background.
The case surfaced on the night of December 29 when Sri Ganganagar police, acting on specific intelligence inputs, intercepted a car on Sri Vijaynagar Road. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of three bags containing Rs 91 lakh in cash. The occupants failed to give a convincing explanation for carrying such a large amount, prompting their immediate detention.
Four persons—Kuldeep Kumar (50), Aman Kumar (20), Ramawaroop (58) and Manish Bishnoi—were arrested in connection with the seizure. Police said two more arrests are likely as the probe widens. Interrogation of the accused opened up what officers described as a well-structured interstate extortion network with links spread across Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.
According to the investigators, the seized cash was part of extortion proceeds generated through threats issued to businessmen. While the intimidation was allegedly handled by gang operatives, the money movement followed a far more insulated route. Police said the Bishnoi gang deliberately avoided using known criminals to transport cash and instead relied on ordinary individuals with no criminal background.
Superintendent of Police Amrita Duhan said the case marked the first time Rajasthan Police had successfully traced the financial backbone of an organised crime syndicate linked to the Bishnoi gang. She said earlier cases focused largely on shootings or threat calls, but the flow of money remained difficult to crack.
While speaking to The Sunday Guardian, an investigator associated with the probe said organised gangs are rapidly changing their operational methods to stay ahead of law enforcement. “Using non-criminals and unsuspecting common people as money carriers is emerging as a new technique. People with clean backgrounds do not raise suspicion at checkpoints, making them ideal for moving illicit cash,” the officer said.
Police said the gang adopted a layered system to move money amid Jodhpur to Punjab. Extorted amounts were first routed through USDT cryptocurrency using mule accounts opened in the names of unsuspecting individuals. These accounts were allegedly operated across Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and parts of Haryana to buy and sell cryptocurrency. Once converted into cash, the money was handed over to couriers who were often unaware of the larger criminal network they were serving. Investigators said the Rs 91 lakh seized in this case was being transported along this corridor by such couriers.
The arrested men were allegedly tasked only with delivering the money and were kept at arm’s length from the gang’s core operatives. Police believe this compartmentalisation is a deliberate strategy to protect senior gang members and frustrate investigations.
As the probe widened, senior officers from Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Jodhpur and Bikaner joined the investigation, indicating the multi-district spread of the network. For a brief period, entry to the Raisinghnagar police station was restricted as teams coordinated the next phase of action.
During questioning, Kuldeep Kumar claimed he was acting on instructions from his son Yogesh. Yogesh was allegedly following directions from Sahil Bishnoi, a resident of Abohar in Punjab. Police said Sahil Bishnoi is suspected to have links with Arzoo Bishnoi, believed to be a close associate of Lawrence Bishnoi. Investigators said Sahil Bishnoi came into contact with Arzoo Bishnoi through his cousin Akshay Kumar.
Yogesh has since been detained for questioning. Police noted that neither Kuldeep nor his son had any prior criminal record, reinforcing the theory that the gang is systematically roping in people with clean backgrounds to handle logistics and cash movement. In contrast, Sahil Bishnoi, Akshay Kumar and Arzoo Bishnoi are suspected to be key operatives within the gang’s extortion machinery.
Police said several suspects have already been rounded up from Punjab and Rajasthan, and further raids are expected as investigators follow digital and financial leads. Officials said the increasing use of cryptocurrency reflects a significant shift in the gang’s operational strategy. While extortion threats continue to be delivered through phone calls and online messaging platforms, the proceeds are first masked through USDT transactions before being converted into cash. The use of mule accounts and ordinary couriers adds multiple layers of insulation, making detection more complex.
Police said mobile phones seized from the accused are being sent for forensic analysis to establish communication links with senior gang members. Bank accounts and digital wallets suspected to be used as mule accounts are also under scrutiny.
