Punjab: Parents of Notorious Gangster Held in Ransom Threat Investigation

Punjab: The parents of alleged gangster Goldy Brar have been taken into police custody in Punjab’s Sri Muktsar Sahib district following an investigation into a high-profile ransom threat case, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The arrests come as part of a probe into a series of alleged extortion calls that left a government employee fearing for his and his family’s safety.

Arrests Linked to December FIR

Police officials said Shamsher Singh, son of Gurbaksh Singh, and his wife Preetpal Kaur were arrested on Monday. The couple are residents of Adesh Nagar in Sri Muktsar Sahib. Their detention is connected to a First Information Report registered on December 3, 2024, after a complaint was lodged by a resident of Udhekaran village.

The FIR was filed under Sections 308(4), 351(1), and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigators began tracing links after examining financial and communication records associated with the alleged ransom demands.

Complaint Filed by Education Department Employee

According to the police complaint, the victim has served in the state education department for more than three decades. He alleged that on November 27, 2024, while on official duty at his school, he received a WhatsApp call from a foreign number between 10:30 am and 11:00 am.

The caller reportedly identified himself as a member of the Bambiha gang and confirmed the complainant’s personal details before demanding a ransom of Rs 50 lakh. The call was described as threatening in nature, with warnings of harm if the demand was not met.

Threats Against Family and Personal Safety

The complainant told police that the caller claimed to have detailed information about his family members and his residence located on Kotkapura Road. He was allegedly warned that both he and his family would be killed if the money was not paid.

Officials said the complainant received several similar calls throughout the day, all from the same foreign number. The repeated threats reportedly caused severe anxiety and fear, prompting him to limit communication and remain on alert.

Second Call Intensifies Fear

In a further statement, the complainant said that on December 3, 2024, he again received a WhatsApp call from the same number while travelling from Udhekaran village to his workplace. Due to fear, he chose not to answer the call.

He told police that the continued threats left him mentally distressed for the rest of the day. After discussing the situation with his family, he decided to approach law enforcement authorities for protection and legal action.

Police Investigation and Legal Action

The complainant, accompanied by his brother, visited the Sadar Police Station in Sri Muktsar Sahib and requested strict action against the unidentified caller. Police then registered the FIR and launched a detailed investigation, focusing on the alleged extortion network behind the threats.

As the probe progressed, investigators reportedly found links pointing toward associates of the Bambiha gang and individuals connected to Goldy Brar.

SSP Confirms Arrests in Amritsar

Senior Superintendent of Police Abhimanyu Rana confirmed that the parents of Goldy Brar were arrested from Amritsar. He stated that at the time of their detention, the couple were staying at a hotel near Darbar Sahib, commonly known as the Golden Temple.

The SSP added that when the FIR was registered, the Bambiha gang and Goldy Brar were allegedly operating together. Police suspect that the arrested individuals had no verified source of income and were allegedly sustaining themselves through money obtained from ransom-related activities.

Court Proceedings Ahead

Police officials said the accused will be produced before a Muktsar court on Tuesday morning. Further questioning and financial scrutiny are expected as investigators attempt to determine the extent of their involvement and whether additional individuals were part of the alleged extortion operation.

The case remains under investigation, and authorities have indicated that more arrests could follow as evidence is examined.