The investigation into the murder of a pharmacy cashier in Chandigarh has widened into a probe of an alleged cross-border criminal network, with police claiming to have uncovered links to the smuggling of narcotics, illegal firearms and counterfeit Indian currency through drone drops along the Punjab border.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Chandigarh Police said the investigation had revealed indications that the accused were allegedly operating under the direction of foreign-based handlers. According to investigators, the suspects remained in contact with overseas operatives through end-to-end encrypted messaging applications, allowing them to coordinate activities while attempting to avoid detection by security agencies.
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Police said the alleged conspiracy behind the killing of Janki Das, a cashier at a medical store in Sector 11, was traced to Dharmendra alias Goli, who is currently lodged in Kapurthala Jail. He has been brought to Chandigarh on a production warrant and is being questioned to establish the sequence of events leading to the murder and identify others allegedly involved in the conspiracy.
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According to the investigation, the network allegedly functioned as a logistics module that collected consignments dropped by drones near the international border before transporting them to various destinations. Police suspect the consignments included narcotic substances, illegal weapons and counterfeit Indian currency intended for distribution through an organised network.
During follow-up searches in Tarn Taran district, police recovered counterfeit currency with a face value of nearly Rs 8 lakh and around three kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “Ice”. Officials said investigators are examining whether the seized material formed part of the same cross-border module uncovered during the murder investigation.
Police further said preliminary findings suggest operational instructions were allegedly relayed by a foreign-based gangster to Dharmendra, who then coordinated local arrangements, including procuring the weapon, arranging accommodation for the shooters, organising transport and facilitating funds required to execute the plan.
Investigators also said a contact based in Jammu and Kashmir was allegedly introduced into the network to facilitate the supply of a Zigana pistol, which is suspected to have been used in the killing. Authorities are now tracing the movement of the firearm and attempting to identify everyone involved in its procurement and delivery.
Five persons, including Dharmendra, Gurmeet alias Badshah, Money, Sachin and Sylvester, have been arrested in connection with different aspects of the case. Police alleged that each of the accused played a distinct logistical role in the conspiracy, adding that their statements are being corroborated through technical evidence, forensic examination and digital records.
Officials said the investigation has now expanded to identify the overseas handlers, trace the financial channels allegedly supporting the network and determine whether similar modules are operating in other states. Police are also investigating the intended destination of the seized counterfeit currency and narcotics and whether they were linked to a larger organised crime syndicate.
During interrogation, Dharmendra allegedly disclosed links with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang. Police said those claims are being independently verified while investigators continue to examine possible connections between jailed gangsters, foreign-based operatives and local criminal networks.
Dharmendra is already facing prosecution in several criminal cases, including the 2017 murder of Hindu Sangharsh Sena leader Vipin Sharma. As part of the continuing investigation, Chandigarh Police also carried out searches at multiple locations in Tarn Taran and questioned individuals believed to possess information relevant to the case. Officials said further investigation is underway.
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