Who is gangster Mayank Singh? Extradited from Azerbaijan in Jharkhand Police's historic first cross-border operation; accused in 40+ cases, linked to Bishnoi gang

RANCHI: A member of a notorious gang from Azerbaijan, Sunil Kumar Meena alias Mayank Singh, was brought to the Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport by the Jharkhand's anti-terrorism squad (ATS), led by its SP Rishav Jha, on Saturday. He was taken in an armoured vehicle to Ramgarh and produced before the court of additional district judge, which forwarded him to Ramgarh jail.Accused Meena is wanted in at least 40 cases, related to murder, attempt to murder, besides issuing extortion threats to businessmen, coal transporters, and railway contractors. The cases are lodged with police stations across Ranchi, Giridih, Ramgarh, Palamu, and Hazaribag districts in Jharkhand, besides Chhattisgarh and other states. Meena was also linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is involved in threatening eminent persons of the country. The ATS would also interrogate Meena for more details on the case, said police.SP (ATS) Jha said, "The Jharkhand police, with the help of court, has brought back a criminal from abroad for the first time."Meena has been extradited in the case, bearing number 175/22, registered with the Patratu police station in Ramgarh district. The case is related to sending threatening messages through Whatsapp to demand extortion money. The charge sheet based on evidences has been submitted before the court. Sources in the Jharkhand Police said that the gangster pleaded in the court that he was not the one whom ATS was looking for . The ATS countered the arguments with proof and prayed for his remand to interrogate him.DGP Anurag Gupta said, "A much-wanted criminal has been brought under the process of law. The step sends a clear message to other criminals that they would not be spared even if they commit crime from foreign countries." The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) got a red corner notice issued against Meena published through the Interpol on October 10, 2024. Based on the notice, Meena was detained in Baku in Azerbaijan on October 29, 2024. The Azerbaijan Republic sought extradition dossier, which was provided by the ATS through the Ministry of external affairs. A court in Baku conducted the proceedings on the basis of the dossier and allowed his extradition to India. The CBI wrote to the ATS, asking it to complete the necessary works for extradition, which was executed. The Azerbaijan Republic on August 4, 2025, again wrote a letter, stating that Meena would be handed over to Indian officials on August 22, 2025. The Union govt gave the political clearance to the designated officers.A three-member team, led by ATS SP, left for Azerbaijan last Tuesday. They took charge of Meena after completing the formalities involving Indian Embassy and the local court. The team left Azerbaijan with the accused on Friday and reached Ranchi on Saturday morning via Mumbai.