SRIGANGANAGAR, Oct 9— What appeared to be a group of youths casually clicking photos on city streets turned out to be a covert reconnaissance mission for gangsters operating from abroad. Police in Sriganganagar have arrested three men accused of collecting information on local businessmen and doctors to assist an international extortion racket.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Tarun Kaler, Amar Pratap Singh Pintu, and Neeraj Khanna. According to police officials, the trio was acting on directions from gangsters Rohit Godara, Amit Pandit alias Jack, and Yogesh Swami, all of whom are linked to organized crime networks and are believed to be hiding overseas.
“The accused were conducting surveillance on prominent individuals—photographing their shops, clinics, and homes—to help gangsters target them for extortion,” a senior police officer said.
The arrests came after police patrol units noticed the three men taking random photos near the New Grain Market. When questioned, one of them attempted to destroy his mobile phone by smashing it on the road, which raised further suspicion.
On checking the recovered devices, officers found images and videos of several business establishments. During interrogation, Tarun Kaler confessed that he was gathering information on a businessman at the direction of Amit Pandit and Yogesh Swami. The accused had also been compiling personal details of doctors, including their phone numbers, clinic addresses, and residential locations.
Police sources said the data was regularly forwarded to Pandit and Swami, who would then contact the victims with extortion demands. Those who refused to pay were threatened with violence, including firing at their homes or workplaces.
Investigators believe the racket was part of a structured criminal network that also arranged hideouts, weapons, and escape routes for hired shooters. The extorted money was reportedly routed to Amit Pandit through hawala channels.
“The three arrested individuals were small but crucial links in a larger organized system supporting gangsters abroad,” police officials noted. “They were actively helping identify potential targets for extortion.”
A case has been registered under Sections 308(2), 111(2)(b), 111(3), 111(4), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Authorities said more arrests are likely as the probe deepens.
Both Amit Pandit and Yogesh Swami, residents of Chak 15-Z village, are wanted in multiple serious criminal cases. Police believe their interrogation of the three accused may yield further details about the gang’s network and overseas connections.
“Further revelations are expected during the remand period,” a senior investigating officer said, adding that teams have been deployed to trace additional associates linked to the extortion racket.
