Gurugram: Under operation clean-up campaign, Gurugram police has arrested 12 suspected members to be close aides of gangster Kaushal — for allegedly being involved in handling his extortion business in the city and nearby areas. Weapons were also found under their possession. A detailed probe is being carried out by the deputy commissioner of police (crime) and a report will be submitted to the commissioner soon.
While one diary exposes a list of gang members and criminals, another one has entries of protection money charged by the gang from prominent traders, who are owners of sweet shops, jewellery shops, kitchen appliances stores, bakeries, and garments showrooms in old Gurugram. "A number of criminals allegedly connected to Kaushal from other gangs are under the scanner," said Shamsher Singh ACP (Crime).
Senior police officers said top government officials were keeping a close watch on the situation across the state and have been demanding the names of criminals involved in wrongdoing and since when they are absconding. "With the arrest of 12 criminals, there is palpable fear among the other gang members. We have started investigating the details of people whose names are mentioned," said Singh.
The police said the gang members were receiving kickbacks from businessmen who had earlier denied paying any protection money but later after several firing incidents were reported they had recently hired gunmen for their safety and security outside their shops and residences. "Saini also revealed that Kaushal is in Thailand and was operating from there," said Singh. The problems of traders and businessmen being targeted by goons have been a major law and order challenge in the outskirts of Gurugram. However, the incidents of traders and businessmen being targeted are also being reported on a large scale from the city centre. Most of the gangsters have also now started targeting suburbs of Gurugram like Rewari.
Off- late Kaushal gang has emerged to be one of the foremost groups in carrying out extortion. The leader of the gang is repotedly believed to be living in Thailand. In 2019 itself Kaushal gang has been involved in four murders where the victims were shot dead on the streets of Gururgam.