FBI-indicted Punjab cop arrested for alleged ₹3.8 crore extortion bid

Punjab police inspector Gurinderjit Singh Nagra, recently indicted by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as part of 'Operation Hard Ball,' has been arrested in Hoshiarpur district. He is accused of attempting to extort $400,000 (approximately ₹3.81 crore) from a family residing in Los Angeles.

Nagra was presented before a Hoshiarpur court, which ordered his remand to three days of police custody. This arrest follows a week after the FBI indicted him, alleging he maintained ties with gangsters. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that prosecutors would pursue Nagra's extradition to face charges in the United States.

“

We have charged him, and we will extradite him into the US.

Previously serving as station house officer in Tanda, Nagra was transferred to police lines in Hoshiarpur after the charges surfaced. He has since been suspended, and departmental proceedings have been initiated, with an ongoing investigation. The case against him involves charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 308 of the BNS (extortion), related to the murder of a hardware store owner in Miani village on January 15.

The indictment, unsealed as part of the FBI's "Operation Hard Ball," suggests Nagra collaborated with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang. The investigation into the murder of Balwinder Singh, the hardware store owner, revealed that his U.S.-based son-in-law, Gurpreet Singh, allegedly orchestrated the killing. Police subsequently named Gurpreet, his father Charanjit Singh, and his sister as co-conspirators. The indictment further alleges that Nagra contacted Charanjit Singh, threatening to frame the family and attempting to acquire property in Los Angeles County between April and June.

“

Nagra has been placed under suspension and appropriate departmental proceedings have been initiated. The probe is ongoing.