Close aide of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi who helped hide Muthewala killers arrested in Punjab

Punjab police said on Saturday they had arrested a close aide of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi who arranged a hideout for singer Sidhu Moosewala’s killers. Mandeep Singh alias Chota Mani was arrested along with his accomplice Jatinder Singh of Gobindpura Mohalla, Mani Majra.

Two pistols and 12 rounds of ammunition were also recovered from it, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said.

Acting on credible information about Chhota Mani’s presence in Zirakpur area, the Anti-Gangster Task Force of Punjab Police tracked him down and arrested him and an associate, he said.

Both defendants actively worked for the Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar gangs and had criminal records. He said cases of attempt to murder, extortion, robbery and under the Arms Act were registered against them in both Chandigarh and Haryana.

Yadav said Chhota Mani arranged a hiding place for the killers of Mushwara, who was shot dead in May 2022. The DGP said preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were tasked with carrying out targeted killings of rival gangs by handlers based abroad.

Assistant Inspector General Sandeep Goel said Bishnoi wanted to help Chhota Mani settle abroad and sent him to Dubai three times to facilitate his safe entry into Europe. However, Chhota Mani was unable to enter Europe and had to return to India, the official said.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)