Suspect with links to Lawrence Bishnoi gang arrested in Kerala

A 28-year-old youth suspected of having links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has been arrested in the Palakkad district of Kerala, according to a report by India Today. The individual, named Gurumurthy, was arrested from the Ottapalam area of Palakkad district. A case has been registered against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for legal proceedings.

A special team of the Thrissur City Police apprehended Gurumurthy from his rented house in the Ottapalam area at approximately 11 pm on Thursday. Gurumurthy is a resident of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, and his roots are in Tamil Nadu. He had been living in this area for the past few months and was working at a milk booth under the jurisdiction of the Ottapalam police station. He had been in Kerala for approximately 3 to 4 years and had previously worked in Mumbai.

The Thrissur East police station had registered a case against Gurumurthy. Police had received secret information that people linked to the Bishnoi gang were hiding in Kerala. According to the police, this gang is involved in several cases of murder and extortion and poses a threat to national security. The cyber department had been monitoring individuals associated with the gang for the past few weeks. During the investigation, it was revealed that Gurumurthy was communicating with a handler via Telegram, who is suspected to be linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Police suspect that Gurumurthy may have been working as an associate of the gang. However, investigators have not yet been able to establish whether he was directly linked to the Bishnoi gang, part of its extensive network, or merely inspired by its activities. Investigators are also examining similarities between this incident and the synagogue case.

This case has been registered under Section 18 of the UAPA, which relates to conspiring, attempting, or facilitating terrorist acts. Gurumurthy was produced in court and has been sent to judicial custody. Police will now seek his custody from the court for detailed interrogation to ascertain the nature and extent of his connection with the gang. His mobile phone will also be examined as part of the investigation. Thrissur City Police have sought the help of the Kerala Anti-Terrorist Squad in this investigation, and officials stated that information regarding this arrest will also be shared with central agencies.