The FBI has apprehended Nitish Kaushal, an Indian national, in Vermont, shortly after he was listed on the agency’s Most Wanted roster. This development is a significant step in the US government’s extensive prosecution of an alleged transnational organized crime group based in Punjab, operating across North America, Europe, and Oceania.
Kaushal, also known as “Lala,” had a federal arrest warrant issued against him on June 25 by the US District Court for the Central District of California. The charges against him include involvement in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, as detailed in a 44-page federal indictment.
The indictment reveals that the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Organised Crime Group, with over 1,000 members globally, engaged in various criminal activities such as murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering. Kaushal, along with other defendants, is accused of being part of this criminal syndicate.
The FBI had recently added Kaushal to its Most Wanted list, linking him to a transnational criminal organization responsible for a range of illegal activities. The organization, originating in Punjab, India, was active in California and beyond, with Kaushal allegedly involved in violent acts like kidnappings and assaults on behalf of the group.
