The Surat Crime Branch apprehended Anand Singh, also known as Sholay Singh or Sachin Singh, a 26-year-old wanted accused with a reward of Rs 1.5 lakh. He was captured near the Biodiversity Park gate in Surat’s Khatodara area, where officials found two country-made pistols and six live cartridges in his possession. The arrest was made based on specific intelligence inputs, and the operation was carried out by the Anti-Organised Squad of the Crime Branch under senior officers’ supervision.
Anand Singh, originally from Lakhauwa village in Jaunpur district, Uttar Pradesh, had been residing in Surat’s Palsana. He was under surveillance due to his alleged involvement in multiple criminal cases, including extortion, firing incidents, and attempted murder. The accused is wanted in five criminal cases registered in Uttar Pradesh, with allegations ranging from extortion to firing incidents and attempted murder.
In one case in Pratapgarh, the accused and his associates reportedly fired gunshots at a complainant’s residence following a gang rivalry dispute. Another incident in Jaunpur involved a ransom demand of Rs one crore from a school principal, leading to gunshots fired at the school gate. The accused is also accused of demanding money from a medical practitioner and a bank manager, resorting to threats and firing incidents to enforce his demands.
Police confirmed that Anand Singh has a criminal history, including a prior murder case in Jaunpur for which he served a prison sentence. He aimed to establish himself as a prominent criminal figure in Jaunpur, forming a group called the “Sholay gang” and targeting individuals for extortion across several districts. The accused frequently changed his location, used different SIM cards, and circulated videos of firing incidents to intimidate victims and the public.
Further investigation is ongoing to determine if the accused committed any offenses in Surat city. The arrest is part of efforts to combat organized crime and illegal possession of firearms in the region, with legal proceedings underway.
