Notorious gangster brought on production warrant

Ludhiana: Notorious gangster Pankaj Rajput, wanted by Ludhiana police in several criminal cases, was brought to the city on production warrant from Delhi on Monday. After being produced in court, he was remanded in five-day police custody.Rajput was arrested by Delhi Police on Feb 11 from Puneet Nagar in Jamalpur in connection with an extortion bid. His arrest came even as Ludhiana police had been unable to trace him, despite him being wanted in multiple cases. The development has also raised questions on the ongoing Operation Prahar 2.0 of the police, under which officers have been targeting gangsters and fugitives. While several accused with pending FIRs were rounded up under the drive, Rajput continued to evade arrest.Additional deputy commissioner of police (investigation) Amandeep Singh Brar said Rajput was wanted in numerous cases registered in Ludhiana. He added that Rajput has now been formally arrested in a case lodged at Moti Nagar Police Station on Aug 17, 2025. In that case, police arrested his aide, Mukul Mattu of Mohalla Fatehgarh, and recovered a Glock pistol, 17 live cartridges, 1.05kg heroin, Rs 2.50 lakh cash and a car. The firearm recovered was suspected to have been smuggled from across the border. Based on information provided by Mattu during interrogation, Rajput was nominated in the case.Rajput is facing nearly 16 cases registered at Police Division Number 2, Basti Jodhewal and Police Division Number 7 in Ludhiana, as well as in Sangrur, Ferozepur and Bathinda. He had secured bail earlier and later managed to escape to the US in 2023. His criminal links surfaced earlier as well. In 2019, when he was lodged in Ludhiana Central Jail, a mobile phone was recovered from his possession.Other cases linked to RajputMay 20, 2025: Ludhiana Rural Police arrested Roshan Singh, alleged kingpin of a drug smuggling cartel, after an encounter in Jagraon. Roshan Singh, who is facing trial in at least 15 cases, including two murder cases, armed robberies and illegal weapon possession, was suspected of operating under Rajput's directions March 24, 2023: Ludhiana STF busted a drug cartel with the arrest of four men and recovery of 2.230kg heroin. Police stated that the racket was being operated by Rajput July 15, 2022: CIA staff arrested three members of Rajput's gang and recovered a country-made .32-bore pistol, four live cartridges and two sharp-edged weapons