Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 27: The Delhi Police Crime Branch on Thursday arrested 45-year-old Deepak Khatri, alias Deepak Nanda or ‘Mama’, for his alleged links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and involvement in an international arms-smuggling and terror network.
Khatri, a resident of Paschim Vihar, was detained in the jurisdiction of the IGI Airport police station on the basis of a Lookout Circular (LOC) issued against him. He was subsequently arrested in connection with FIR No. 49/26 following interrogation, the Crime Branch said.
According to police, Khatri was a close associate of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and allegedly acted as an intermediary between gang members lodged in prisons and their associates operating outside.
Police said Khatri first met Bishnoi in 2021 when the gangster was brought to Delhi on police remand. His interaction with Bishnoi subsequently increased, investigators claimed.
The police further alleged that Khatri came into contact with members and associates linked to gangs headed by Kala Jathedi, Kala Rana and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.
Investigators said Khatri used to relay messages between gang members in jail and their associates outside. After cases involving threats and extortion allegedly carried out in Bishnoi's name surfaced in Delhi, several victims reportedly began contacting Khatri.
According to police, some of those individuals were associated with illegal call centres, betting operations, the construction sector, drug trade and the club industry.
In 2023, Bishnoi allegedly asked Khatri to facilitate a settlement in an extortion and threat case involving a businessman. The matter reportedly concerned an amount of around Rs 2.5 crore, police said.
The Crime Branch investigation has also allegedly established Khatri's involvement in the procurement and movement of illegal foreign-made weapons and ammunition.
Police claimed Bishnoi had entrusted Khatri with arranging illegal firearms and ammunition for gang members.
In connection with the arms network, Khatri allegedly contacted Nishant Arora, alias Nonu, and Harsh Pal Singh, alias Rubal.
According to investigators, the two allegedly procured foreign weapons and ammunition from Shahbaz Ansari, a fugitive based in Bangladesh. Police have identified Ansari as the alleged kingpin of the international arms-smuggling and terror module.
The Delhi Police said 18 accused persons have been arrested so far in the case.
During the investigation, police have recovered 32 sophisticated foreign-made weapons and ammunition, including two sub-machine guns and 363 live cartridges.
The Crime Branch said the investigation remains underway and the roles of other individuals allegedly connected with the international arms-smuggling network are being examined.