New Delhi | RBN News
The Delhi Police Special Cell (Counter Intelligence Unit) has arrested Khushnuma Ansari alias Neha, who is alleged to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Police officials claim she was closely linked to gangster Mahfooz alias Bobby Kabootar, who was arrested a day earlier after being on the run for nearly seven years.
According to investigators, the arrests are part of an ongoing crackdown on organised crime networks operating across multiple states.
Bobby Kabootar Arrested After Years on the Run
Mahfooz alias Bobby Kabootar had been evading arrest for several years, allegedly using fake identities and frequently changing locations to avoid detection. The Special Cell apprehended him based on technical surveillance and specific intelligence inputs.
Police stated that four individuals, including Khushnuma Ansari, were detained during the operation. Authorities are continuing to examine the broader network and possible logistical support structures that may have assisted Kabootar during his period of absconding.
Alleged Role of Khushnuma Ansari
Investigators allege that Khushnuma Ansari assisted Kabootar during his time underground. Police sources claim she helped arrange safe hideouts and facilitated communication between Kabootar and other members of the gang.
Her digital devices and financial transactions are currently under forensic examination. Officials have not disclosed detailed evidence but stated that her alleged involvement extends beyond a personal relationship.
Police are also probing whether women are increasingly being used within organised criminal networks for communication, logistics, or operational support. Authorities emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and individual roles will be determined based on evidence.
Links to High-Profile Cases
Delhi Police claim that Bobby Kabootar had links to several high-profile criminal cases.
In the 2022 killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, investigators allege that Kabootar conducted reconnaissance prior to the attack and shared movement and route details with the assailants. The singer was shot dead in May 2022 by alleged members of the Lawrence Bishnoi network.
Kabootar’s name has also surfaced in connection with a firing incident at the residence of actor Disha Patani in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Police claim that he facilitated access to foreign-made weapons used by shooters in that case.
Authorities said that some accused in the firing case have already been arrested, while two alleged shooters were killed in separate police encounters. Kabootar had been wanted in connection with these cases prior to his arrest.
Background: Lawrence Bishnoi Gang
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has been linked to multiple criminal investigations across India in recent years. Law enforcement agencies in several states have been pursuing members of the network in connection with extortion, contract killings, and other organised crime activities.
Police officials state that the group operates through decentralized cells and uses encrypted communication channels and interstate coordination to carry out operations.
Ongoing Investigation
The Special Cell confirmed that interrogation of the arrested individuals is ongoing. Investigators are analysing call data records, digital communications, and financial trails to determine the extent of the network.
No formal charge sheet has yet been filed. Police indicated that further disclosures are expected once the investigation progresses.
Authorities have not commented on the possibility of additional arrests at this stage.
