Chandigarh, July 8: A Punjab Police station house officer has been removed from his post and sent to Police Lines following heavy allegations from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation involving a $400,000 extortion attempt. The American agency asserted that the officer targeted a US-based family by threatening to frame them in a fabricated murder case in India. The international development prompted senior police leadership to instantly shift the inquiry out of the local district to maintain complete transparency.
DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla stated that the department took action after discovering the official American briefing.
“We too got to know of it from the FBI’s Los Angeles webpage. The SHO has been transferred to Police Lines. To ensure a fair probe, the inquiry has been marked outside Hoshiarpur. I have asked SP (D) Jalandhar Vineet Ahlawat to investigate the matter and report to the department as soon as possible.”
The case surfaced publicly after the American federal agency published detailed findings alongside a formal video statement on its official digital platforms. Political leaders from various parties expressed deep concern over the development, pointing to the systemic impact on the state’s law enforcement reputation. Congress Bholath MLA Sukhpal Khaira maintained that the situation marks a difficult moment for the administrative image of the regional force.
“The filing of chargesheet against Punjab Police officer for extortion of US $4,00,000 has come as a big blot and question mark on the functioning of Punjab Police.”
Adding to the political reaction, SAD leader Bikram Majithia affirmed that the global reach of the investigation changes how local policing is viewed.
“Just as the FBI sought the extradition of Goldy Brar, Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, a Punjab Police officer has now also come under the FBI’s scanner. The Punjab Police, once known for its reputation, has today become a symbol of global embarrassment.”
