FBI tightens noose on Bhagwanpuria network, adds Nitish Kaushal on most wanted list

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has added Nitish Kaushal, an alleged associate of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Organized Crime Group (OCG), to its most wanted list as part of its ongoing crackdown on transnational organized crime linked to India.

According to the FBI, Kaushal is wanted for his alleged involvement in the Bhagwanpuria OCG, a transnational criminal organization that originated in Punjab, India, and operated in the Central District of California and elsewhere. The agency alleges that the group has been involved in a range of serious crimes, including murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, weapons trafficking, money laundering, and human smuggling.

The FBI further alleges that Kaushal carried out violent acts on behalf of the organization, including kidnappings and assaults.

On June 25, 2026, the US District Court for the Central District of California issued a federal arrest warrant for Kaushal after he was charged with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Conspiracy.

The development comes shortly after the FBI's Operation Hard Ball, a coordinated international enforcement action targeting the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria network. The operation involved raids and law enforcement action across the United States, Canada, and Europe, highlighting the growing international focus on dismantling transnational criminal syndicates with roots in India.

The FBI's inclusion of Nitish Kaushal on its most wanted list marks another significant step in its efforts to pursue alleged members of the Bhagwanpuria crime network operating across international borders.

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