FBI puts India-linked crime syndicate operative on most wanted list

The US FBI has placed Nitish Kaushal, an alleged operative of the India-linked 'Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Organised Crime Group', on its most wanted list. He is sought for violent felonies including kidnapping as part of a major US crackdown on the syndicate.

In a major escalation against transnational crime syndicates operating on American soil, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has placed an alleged operative of an India-linked criminal syndicate on its most wanted list. The federal agency took action against Nitish Kaushal, identifying him as a suspected associate of the "Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Organised Crime Group (OCG)", as part of an intensified American crackdown on global syndicates originating from India.

According to US investigators, Kaushal is being sought for his suspected ties to the "Bhagwanpuria OCG", which authorities describe as a "transnational criminal organisation that originated in Punjab, India, and operated in the Central District of California and elsewhere."

Details of Allegations

American law enforcement agencies allege that the syndicate has orchestrated a wide array of violent felonies across borders. The FBI stated that the network is heavily involved in "murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, weapons trafficking, money laundering, and human smuggling." Federal sleuths further alleged that Kaushal personally carried out high-risk violent operations for the syndicate, noting that he "carried out violent acts on behalf of the organisation, including kidnappings and assaults."

Federal Warrant and RICO Charges

The legal dragnet around Kaushal tightened last month when the US District Court for the Central District of California issued a federal arrest warrant for him on June 25, 2026. The judicial warrant followed formal American charges accusing him of "Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Conspiracy."

International Crackdown: 'Operation Hard Ball'

The FBI's latest move comes on the heels of "Operation Hard Ball", a massive multinational law enforcement offensive designed to dismantle the Bhagwanpuria crime syndicate's global footprint. The coordinated international crackdown triggered synchronised raids and enforcement actions spanning the United States, Canada, and Europe. The scale of the operation underscores the intensifying international law enforcement cooperation aimed at neutralising global crime syndicates rooted in India. (ANI)

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