Updated | Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 10:19 AM IST The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has added Nitish Kaushal, an operative associated with the Indian gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s gang, to its Most Wanted list.The key details regarding the charges against him and the crackdown on this international criminal syndicate include:
Serious Charges Against Nitish Kaushal
- Criminal Activities: According to the FBI, Nitish Kaushal is a high-ranking member of an international transnational organized crime group (the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Syndicate). This group is involved in severe offenses including murder, kidnapping, narcotics and firearms trafficking, extortion, money laundering, and human trafficking.
- Violent Crimes: Kaushal is specifically accused of personally executing kidnappings, extortions, and violent assaults in the Central District of California and nearby regions on behalf of the syndicate.
- Federal Arrest Warrant: A federal arrest warrant was issued for him on June 25, 2026, by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Los Angeles) after he was charged with RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Conspiracy.
The Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Gang’s Network
- From Punjab to the US: While the gang originated in the Punjab state of India, the FBI notes that operatives like Nitish Kaushal helped expand its network into the United States (primarily California), Canada, and several European nations.
- Operations from Prison: Despite the top leaders of this syndicate being incarcerated in Indian prisons, they continue to direct global operations, including extortion rackets and targeted killings, using smuggled mobile phones and internet communication.
Crackdown Under ‘Operation Hard Ball’
- International Action: Placing Nitish Kaushal on the Most Wanted list is part of a massive, multi-agency international crackdown known as Operation Hard Ball.
- This operation is a coordinated effort involving the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and European law enforcement agencies.
- As part of this operation, over 50 raids have been conducted across the US, Canada, and Europe, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of narcotics (cocaine, heroin), illegal firearms, and millions in cash, alongside the arrest of over two dozen associates.
The FBI has classified Nitish Kaushal as armed, extremely dangerous, and an international flight risk. They have requested anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the nearest FBI office or U.S. Embassy.
