Gangster Goldy Dhillon aide arrested after deportation from Bangkok

Harsimran was allegedly in touch with Dhillon, who is reportedly trying to establish a base in Delhi to carry out extortion operations in the National Capital Region. “The Dhillon gang mostly operates in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, but they were looking for someone who could assist them with their activities more in Delhi-NCR,” a source in the police said.

Harsimran, who is facing more than 23 cases – including that of double murder and extortion – allegedly came into contact with Dhillon last year. “Dhillon called him to the US, where he was promised assistance and shelter. In return, he was asked to help arrange men in Delhi-NCR to support their operations,” the source said.

Harsimran left India in January on a fake passport and was soon planning to meet Dhillon in the US, the source added.

Police said the arrest of one Mahender Singh last November in a 2010 murder case led them to Harsimran. During questioning, Mahender had revealed that the arms and ammunition seized from him were sourced from Harsimran.

Investigators said Harsimran procured a passport under the fictitious identity of Rajesh Singh from Gorakhpur and flew to Bangkok in January this year with the help of Dhillon.

“Harsimran took a flight from Lucknow to Bangkok. After staying in Bangkok for some time, he went to Dubai for his onward journey to the US. In Dubai, he met one kabootarbaaz (human trafficker) at Dhillon’s direction. He was sent to Azerbaijan, from where he tried to take a flight to the US. But due to some error in the documents of his co-passenger, both were deported to Dubai,” DCP (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik said.

“Thereafter, Goldy Dhillon asked him to come to Europe. This time, the kabootarbaaz sent him to Russia to enter Europe via the Belarus-Latvia-Poland route… However, Harsimran was apprehended and again deported to Dubai when he tried to enter Europe through the Belarus border,” he added.

“Following this, as his business visa was going to expire, Harsimran came to Bangkok for a short time to extend his visa. While in Bangkok, he was detained and deported to India on November 26. He was then arrested by the Special Cell from the Delhi Airport,” the DCP said.

Police, meanwhile, had also booked Harsimran after he allegedly threatened a witness in one of his cases after leaving India, and demanded Rs 50 lakh as protection money. His passport was subsequently revoked by the Ministry of External Affairs, and a Lookout Circular was issued. His movements were then monitored through coordinated efforts between the Delhi Police and central probe agencies, eventually leading to his deportation.

Police said Harsimran’s criminal history dates back to his teenage years in Delhi, where he trained as a wrestler at akharas and came into contact with members of several gangs. Over time, he formed his own extortion syndicate in North and Northwest Delhi, allegedly threatening or attacking those who refused to pay. His involvement in a series of shootings and extortion bids continued for nearly two decades.