Khargone Police Uncover ₹10 Crore Extortion Plot Linked to Lawrence Bishnoi Gang
Synopsis
In a decisive action, Khargone police have dismantled an extortion gang posing as the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, demanding ₹10 crore from a local family after a shooting incident. This operation led to the arrest of 12 suspects and highlights the challenges of fighting organized crime.
Key Takeaways
Khargone police successfully dismantled an extortion gang.
The gang posed as the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
12 individuals were arrested, and 6 remain at large.
A ransom of ₹10 crore was demanded from the victims.
Significant illegal items were seized during the operation.
Bhopal/Khargone, April 3 (NationPress) In a significant operation, the Khargone police have dismantled an extortion ring masquerading as the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which had demanded an astonishing ₹10 crore from a family following a shooting incident at their residence.
Authorities apprehended 12 individuals linked to this case, while six additional suspects are still on the run.
The victims, Satyendra Rathore and his father Dilip Rathore, reside in Bhilgaon, located within the jurisdiction of the Kasrawad police station.
Superintendent of Police Ravindra Verma reported that the alarming events unfolded on March 17, 2026, when the complainant began receiving menacing WhatsApp messages from an overseas number.
The caller, who claimed to be ‘Harry Boxer’ affiliated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, admitted to shooting at the family's home and issued a demand for ₹10 crore, threatening to take their lives. A video of the shooting was also sent as part of the intimidation.
In response, a specialized police unit was established. After 15 days of thorough investigations that included reviewing CCTV footage, utilizing technical surveillance, and gathering intelligence, the police successfully identified and arrested 12 members of the gang.
Investigations revealed that the plot stemmed from an ongoing financial dispute involving the main suspects — Lokendra Panwar (42) from Ujjain and Sachin Patidar (36) from Dhar.
This duo exploited the Lawrence Bishnoi gang's notorious reputation to instill fear in the victims and extort funds.
The detained individuals include Amit Kumar, Malkhan alias Vijendra, Shahrukh, Krishnapal alias Kenya, Ansh alias Anshu, Shiva, Hrithik alias Janjira, Rohit, Raja, and Kes Khan, originating from Ujjain, Dewas, and Khargone.
Law enforcement has confiscated four pistols, ten cartridges, three vehicles, one motorcycle, and ten mobile devices valued at around ₹44 lakh from the gang.
Superintendent of Police Ravindra Verma informed the media that the gang was impersonating the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to instill fear and extract money. “We have effectively dismantled this module. A majority of the arrested suspects have prior serious criminal records, including charges of murder, robbery, kidnapping, and violations of the Arms Act. Ongoing investigations aim to capture the remaining fugitives,” he stated.
The six absconding individuals include Javed, Ravi, Rahul Baba, Kuldeep, Sandeep, and Harichand Jat alias Harry Boxer. Police officials noted that the gang had conducted surveillance and attempted multiple times before successfully firing at the residence on March 16, recording the incident for extortion purposes.
Point of View
Particularly the audacity of gangs that exploit fear to extort money. As authorities continue to pursue the absconding suspects, the public is reminded of the need for vigilance and community cooperation in combating crime.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the police investigation in Khargone?
The investigation was triggered by a shooting incident at the Rathore family's residence, followed by a ransom demand of ₹10 crore from a gang impersonating the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
How many suspects were arrested?
The police arrested 12 individuals involved in the extortion scheme, while six others are still wanted.
What evidence did the police gather during the investigation?
The police utilized CCTV footage, technical surveillance, and intelligence inputs to track down the suspects and gather evidence.
What were the demands made by the extortion gang?
The gang demanded ₹10 crore from the Rathore family and threatened to kill them if their demands were not met.
What illegal items were seized from the gang?
Authorities seized four pistols, ten cartridges, three cars, one motorcycle, and ten mobile phones from the gang.
