How Did the Ahmedabad Crime Branch Capture a Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Member After a 3-Year Pursuit?

Ahmedabad, June 18 (NationPress) The Ahmedabad Crime Branch successfully apprehended Manoj, also known as Chakki Shankarlal Salvi, a 21-year-old notorious criminal and a prominent member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Salvi had been on the run for nearly three years due to his involvement in an Arms Act case filed by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in 2022.

This operation is part of the state's ongoing efforts to dismantle inter-state criminal networks associated with high-profile contract killings and the illegal arms trade.

The initial incident occurred on December 14, 2022, when the Gujarat ATS apprehended Rupalal Salvi near Shivalik Complex at Panchvati Circle in Ahmedabad. He was found in possession of a country-made pistol and a live cartridge. During questioning, he revealed that Manoj Salvi had supplied the weapon, leading to the filing of an FIR under various sections of the Arms Act and the Gujarat Police Act at Ellisbridge Police Station.

Despite extensive efforts to capture him, Manoj evaded law enforcement until now. Based on specific intelligence, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch located him at a residence in Sector-14, Hiran Magri, Udaipur, and apprehended him in Gordhan Vilas Colony. Following his arrest, he was transferred to the Ellisbridge police for further interrogation.

Police records indicate that he has at least 11 serious criminal cases registered against him across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Delhi, involving charges such as armed robbery, illegal arms possession, and murder.

Previously, he was detained by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for 18 months in connection with the murder of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, a prominent leader of the Karni Sena, which was linked to multiple sections of the Arms Act and criminal conspiracy.

His criminal history is extensive, with cases recorded in various police stations including Nai, Sukher, Hiran Magri, Hathipol, and Dhanmandi in Udaipur; Samaypur Badli and Bindapur in Delhi; and Harmada in Jaipur. Most of these cases involve the Arms Act, and he is suspected to have played a vital role in gun-running operations.

Officials have confirmed Salvi's active participation in the operations of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which encompasses extortion, contract killings, and weapons smuggling.

According to senior officials from the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, Salvi's arrest marks a significant disruption in the Bishnoi gang's operations within Gujarat and surrounding states.

“Given his criminal history and involvement in arms supply, he poses a significant threat. We anticipate that his interrogation will provide further insights into the ongoing illegal arms trade and other gang-related crimes in the area,” stated a senior officer.

Salvi is currently in police custody, with ongoing investigations anticipated regarding recent arms trafficking incidents reported in Gujarat.