A 26-year-old member of the Punjab-linked Bhagwanpuria gang, Nitish Kaushal, alias Lala, has been arrested in the United States, just a day after federal investigators placed him on their most wanted list.
Added to the FBI's Most Wanted List on Thursday
Nitish Kaushal's name appeared on the FBI's wanted list on Thursday. The bureau accused him of being part of an international criminal organization and of carrying out violent acts including kidnapping and assault. According to the wanted notice, Kaushal is an Indian citizen born on June 15, 2020. He was accused of carrying out several violent incidents, including kidnappings and assaults, on behalf of the Bhagwanpuria organized crime group.
Captured Early Morning in Vermont
The FBI shared news of Kaushal's arrest on its social media handle, saying he had been taken into custody in the state of Vermont. The bureau also appealed to the public to help track down other fugitives wanted in connection with investigations into criminal gangs. FBI Albany wrote on X that, thanks to the work of its partners at the US Border Patrol's Swanton Sector in securing the Northern Border, this dangerous fugitive, wanted in a case tied to the FBI's Los Angeles office, was captured early that morning in Vermont.
Accused of Everything From Murder to Trafficking
Kaushal faces a string of serious allegations in the United States, ranging from murder to trafficking. That is why the FBI placed him, allegedly involved in murder, kidnapping and narcotics trafficking, on its list of most wanted criminals, as part of a broader effort to crack down on the Bhagwanpuria gang. The FBI said Kaushal allegedly carried out multiple acts of violence, including kidnappings and assaults, on behalf of the Bhagwanpuria organized crime group. The bureau also said he was wanted for alleged involvement in an international criminal organization accused of a range of crimes including murder, kidnapping, narcotics trafficking, extortion, arms trafficking, money laundering and human trafficking. Investigators feared Kaushal could flee, which is why he was declared a most wanted fugitive and pursued.
From Punjab to California, the Gang's Reach
According to the FBI, Kaushal is part of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Organized Crime Group. The organized crime group originated in India's Punjab state and is now active in the Central District of California and other locations. The United States District Court for the Central District of California, based in Los Angeles, issued a federal arrest warrant against Kaushal on June 25 after charging him with criminal conspiracy under the law targeting organized crime and corrupt organizations, commonly known as the RICO Act. With the arrest now made, further legal proceedings in the case are expected to follow in the United States.
