A shocking case of police-criminal nexus has come to light in Punjab, where an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of the state police force was not only aiding an extortion racket but was also directly handling the money trail of a US-based gangster. In a swift and decisive action, the ASI Surjit Singh has been arrested and dismissed from service, unmasking a larger network of organized crime that operated under the very nose of law enforcement.

The development comes at a time when the Punjab Government is making sweeping administrative reshuffles, having recently dismissed 52 police personnel, ranging from the ranks of inspectors to constables, and transferred 21 IPS officers as part of its crackdown on corruption and inefficiency.

The state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said that the two key operatives of the gang, including ASI Surjit Singh and his accomplice Ankus Maini, a resident of Kalanaur, have been arrested. Authorities have seized Rs 83 lakh in extortion money, illegal firearms, and luxury vehicles, dealing a severe blow to the extortion network.

Surjit Singh, a serving police officer posted at Batala, was found actively assisting Jassal’s gang by handling extortion money routed through multiple intermediaries. His two sons, who are settled in the United States, were also involved in the racket and were in close contact with Jassal, facilitating transactions. 

The Modus Operandi

The investigation revealed a well-coordinated operation where Jassal’s associates first intimidated victims through violent means, then demanded large sums of money.

On February 4, 2025, Jassal’s gang opened fire at a petrol pump owned by a businessman in Kalanaur, Gurdaspur. The businessman received continuous threat calls demanding Rs one crore in extortion. Fearing for his safety, he eventually paid Rs 50 lakh on February 11, 2025. The extorted funds were funneled through local contacts, including Surjit Singh, who played a key role in laundering the money. 

Jassal’s gang used foreign phone numbers to issue threats and coordinate payments, ensuring that the money was laundered through multiple individuals before reaching him. 

ASI’s Arrest and Seizures

Batala SSP Suhail Qasim Mir said that some days back on February 14, Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Sadar Batala received an intelligence input regarding a local police officer’s involvement in handling extortion money. Following inputs, an operation was launched leading to the arrest of the ASI and upon his confession regarding concealing a large cache of money at his house, a team reached his residence at Harnam Nagar, Batala, where a staggering Rs 76.32 lakh in cash was recovered from a concealed compartment, he said, adding that following his arrest, ASI Surjit Singh claimed that the money was sent by his son, who is settled in USA.

Further technical investigations led to the arrest of Ankush Maini, who admitted that the money he handed over to Surjit Singh was extortion money collected for Gurdev Jassal. Police recovered an additional Rs 5.91 lakh, a .32 bore pistol with two cartridges, and a black Mahindra Scorpio (PB-11-CU-1000) from Ankush. 

Cop’s Luxurious Lifestyle 

Authorities swiftly dismissed ASI Surjit Singh from service under Article 311(2) of the Constitution, citing “serious criminal misconduct”. His lavish lifestyle, which was inconsistent with his income as a police officer, raised further suspicions. 

The probe revealed that Surjit Singh had recently purchased two plots of land and a brand-new Toyota Fortuner Legender worth over Rs 50 lakh — assets believed to be funded by extortion money. The Fortuner has been impounded as part of the investigation.

A First Information Report was registered on February 14, 2025, under Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act; Sections 308(2), 111, and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS); and Section 25 of the Arms Act.

DGP Yadav emphasized that investigations are ongoing to trace further links in the extortion network and identify all individuals involved in facilitating Jassal’s illegal operations. Authorities are also coordinating with international agencies to track down Jassal and the two sons of Surjit Singh, who are suspected to be key financial conduits in the extortion racket.

The Punjab Police have intensified their campaign against organized crime, particularly targeting gangsters operating from foreign soil. This latest breakthrough underscores the state government’s commitment to eliminating corruption within law enforcement and ensuring justice for extortion victims.