Key Lawrence gang operative held from Dewas

Indore: Indore Crime Branch has arrested a key operative of the ‘Lawrence Bishnoi’ gang and a wanted criminal carrying a reward of Rs 25,000, in a crackdown on an extortion racket targeting businessmen in the city. With the latest arrest, the total number of accused held in the case has risen to six.The arrested accused, Rahul Singh Rathore alias Baba, 34, a resident of Bijana village in Dewas district, was carrying a reward of Rs 15,000 announced by the STF and Rs 10,000 by Indore Crime Branch. Police said he was one of the closest associates of the gang’s alleged local mastermind, Rajpal Chandawat of Nagda, who was arrested earlier in the case.After receiving complaints and intelligence inputs about traders and businessmen being threatened in the name of the Lawrence gang, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Crime Branch was constituted to identify and arrest those involved.During the interrogation of Rajpal Chandawat, police gathered crucial information about Rahul’s role in the network. Based on these inputs, the SIT tracked him down and arrested him from his native village in Dewas district.Police said that Rahul played an active role in the gang’s operations. He allegedly conducted recce of the residences, offices and establishments of businessmen targeted by the gang. Investigators also found that he coordinated financial transactions among gang members and provided technical and logistical support to facilitate criminal activities.Preliminary questioning further revealed that Rahul arranged weapons for Rajpal Chandawat and recruited youths who were allegedly used for surveillance and firing incidents linked to the gang. Police believe he acted as an important link between gang members and helped ensure smooth execution of their plans.Crime Branch officials said Rahul’s criminal record has also surfaced during the investigation and details of his previous cases are being compiled.The five accused arrested earlier in the case are Rajpal Chandawat of Nagda, Sonu alias Ritesh Khangar (Solanki) of Indore, Sachin alias Ved Prakash Sharma of Ujjain, Nana alias Rohit Barra of Ujjain, and Kuldeep of Kasari Chauhan village in Ratlam district.Police said sustained interrogation of the arrested accused is underway and investigators expect more significant disclosures regarding the gang’s network, extortion activities, arms procurement and other associates operating across the region.