US law enforcement authorities have arrested eight Indian nationals in California on charges related to gang violence, including kidnapping and torture. With bail denied, some of them now face the possibility of life imprisonment.
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas confirmed in a press conference that, “In the first of two complaints, we charged Manpreet Singh Randhawa, Sarabjit Singh, Gurtaj Singh, Amritpal Singh, Pavittar Singh, and Vishal with kidnapping, torture, extortion, witness intimidation, and multiple gun offences. Based on these charges, they are facing life in prison.”
Pavittar Singh arrest
The arrests took place on 11 July as part of a coordinated operation involving local law enforcement agencies, immigration authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as per an HT report.
The primary target of the investigation was Pavittar Singh, who has long been on the radar of Indian law enforcement for violent offences. According to San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow, Singh is believed to lead the Pavittar Manjha Gang (PMG).
Local authorities reported that the arrests followed a tip-off from a victim who had been kidnapped and tortured by the accused on 19 June, allegedly to extract information related to the Indian community. Acting on this information, police conducted the operation last Friday, during which the suspects were found in possession of handguns, an assault rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and around $15,000 in cash.
The arrested men are scheduled to appear in court on 24 July. Law enforcement officials have urged members of the Indian community to come forward with any additional information about these gangs. Sheriff Withrow also warned other associates of the gang that police would continue to take strict action against them.
“This takedown was part of the FBI’s Summer Heat initiative, a nationwide effort targeting violent offenders and gang members who terrorise our communities,” the San Joaquin County Police said in a statement on X.
In a separate case earlier this April, US authorities also arrested Happy Passia, identified as an operative of the banned Babbar Khalsa International group. Passia was accused of involvement in targeted killings, grenade attacks on police establishments and extortion activities in India.