English
English
English
US authorities detain Lawrence Bishnoi gang operative Harichandra, popularly known as Harry Boxer. (Img: X)
Washington: US authorities have detained alleged Lawrence Bishnoi gang operative Harichandra, popularly known as Harry Boxer, who is suspected of coordinating criminal activities from American soil. Boxer had reportedly claimed responsibility for the firing outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Mumbai residence, besides issuing threats to several Bollywood personalities.
The development comes amid an ongoing investigation into alleged extortion attempts and intimidation targeting members of the Hindi film industry by individuals suspected to be associated with the Bishnoi gang.
Boxer had reportedly claimed responsibility for the shooting incident outside Shetty’s residence in Mumbai and subsequently issued threats through social media posts and audio messages. The firing took place outside the filmmaker's residence in Mumbai's Juhu area, where an unidentified assailant opened fire before fleeing the spot.
Following the incident, a social media account purportedly associated with the Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the attack and issued warnings to members of the film fraternity. The Mumbai Police launched an investigation into the incident, examining the alleged involvement of gang members and their associates.
The alleged activities of the Bishnoi gang have increasingly drawn attention following a series of threats directed at prominent Bollywood personalities. Investigating agencies have been examining the use of social media platforms, audio messages and overseas-based operatives to communicate threats and allegedly demand extortion money from individuals in the entertainment industry.
Boxer was allegedly among those operating as part of the network and is suspected of coordinating intimidation-related activities from abroad.
Boxer's detention in the United States is another development in the efforts to trace alleged members of organised criminal networks operating across international borders. Two other alleged gangsters, Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Faridpuria, were also reportedly taken into custody by American authorities.
The latest development could assume significance for Indian investigating agencies probing the overseas operations of criminal networks and their alleged links with incidents of extortion, threats and targeted violence in India.
