Lawrence Bishnoi gang operative Harry Boxer detained in US; India may seek extradition

Haryana's most-wanted gangster Harichand Jat, alias Harry Boxer, a close aide of Lawrence Bishnoi, has been detained by US authorities in California following inputs from the Delhi Police Special Cell and Haryana Special Task Force (STF), sources said on Saturday.

Boxer, who is originally from the Bamsur area of Rajasthan's Kotputli-Behror district, is accused of running a major extortion network for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang from abroad. Indian agencies are expected to initiate legal proceedings to bring him back to India, with the process likely to be coordinated through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India's nodal agency.

Further details about his detention are awaited.

Boxer allegedly earned his nickname after learning boxing during his stay in Jaipur. He initially prepared for competitive examinations and worked as a boxing coach before allegedly entering the world of crime.

Several criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, firing and extortion threats against businessmen, have been registered against him. His name has also surfaced in cases across Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.

He has allegedly been linked to the firing incident at comedian Kapil Sharma's cafe in Canada and threats issued to Bollywood personalities, including filmmaker Rohit Shetty, actors Ranveer Singh and Tusshar Kapoor.

According to sources, Boxer had claimed responsibility for the firing outside Shetty's residence and later issued threats to Bollywood personalities through social media posts and audio messages.

Links to recent firing and extortion cases

Last month, the Delhi Police said Boxer, who is also associated with the Randeep Malik gang, was linked to a network involved in supplying weapons in connection with the firing incident targeting actor Tiger Shroff. Four people, including two women, were arrested in the case.

Speaking to ANI, DCP (Special Cell) Praveen Tripathi said the arrested accused were acting on instructions from Anil Pandit through encrypted communication channels and social media.

"Anil Pandit and Harry Boxer are part of Randeep Malik gang, whose name has recently surfaced in connection with extortion calls and incidents of firing... They were in contact through encrypted channels, from which they received all their instructions, which they then followed," Tripathi said.

Earlier, in April, STF Deputy Inspector General Rahul Lodha had said an investigation into a ransom demand and a threatening video had established links to Boxer.

Speaking to ANI about the arrest of a Lawrence Bishnoi gang member in Kolar, Lodha said a complainant had received a ransom demand from a person identifying himself as Harry Boxer, along with a threatening video.

"In a related case of SIT, a complainant received a ransom demand from an individual named Harry Boxer, who claims to be a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The victim also received a threatening video, which led to an investigation by the Police. Upon investigation, the video was traced back to Nirmal Tiwari of UP, who was then arrested," he said.

Lodha added that Tiwari had told investigators he was hired by Anand Mishra to record the video. Mishra was subsequently arrested, and questioning revealed that Jaiprakash Dara, who was taken into custody in Rajasthan, had provided financial support.

"A total of three people have been taken into custody regarding the case… Anand Mishra and Jaiprakash Dara have prior criminal records and were also members of a gang," Lodha said.

Rs 15 crore ransom demand, Ranveer Singh threat

In March, Madhya Pradesh Police PRO Rajesh Dandotiya said a businessman named Sanjay had received an international call and a threatening WhatsApp voice note from someone identifying himself as Harry Boxer.

The caller allegedly demanded Rs 15 crore and threatened to harm the businessman if the money was not paid.

"The victim, Sanjay, received an international call and a voice note via WhatsApp. In the voice note, the caller identified himself as 'Harry Boxer' and claimed to be a member of a Bishnoi gang. He demanded a ransom of Rs 15 crore from Sanjay and issued a threat of harm if the demand was not met," Dandotiya told ANI.

He said an FIR was being registered at Tukoganj Police Station and that security had been provided to the businessman. Police had also taken note of similar threatening voice notes received by people in neighbouring areas.

Earlier, in February, the Mumbai Crime Branch issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Harichandra alias Harry Boxer in connection with a threat to actor Ranveer Singh.

According to Mumbai Police, a threatening voice note received by Singh's manager was sent to Punjab and Haryana for verification. The sender identified himself as Harry Boxer and allegedly demanded Rs 20 crore from the actor.

(With ANI inputs)