STF cracks down on extortion network operating in Goldy Brar's name; three accused arrested (Pankaj Rai)
New Delhi: Delhi Police has busted a plot involving extortion demands of ₹1 crore made from Dubai and a conspiracy to open fire at a businessman's house if the money was not paid. In a joint operation by the North District's Special Task Force (STF) and the Roop Nagar police station, three accused have been arrested. According to the police, the entire case is linked to an alleged India-Dubai extortion network operating in the name of the Goldy Brar gang.
During a press conference at Delhi Police Headquarters, North District DCP Niharika Bhatt explained the modus operandi: calls originating from Dubai, conspirators stationed in Delhi, and alleged shooters being readied for the attack—yet the police managed to unravel the entire plot before the crime could be executed.
The DCP stated that on the night of September 16, 2026, around 8:15 PM, businessman Praveen Jain received three missed calls. Subsequently, at approximately 9:27 PM, his son Ayush received a call from a United Arab Emirates (UAE) number. It is alleged that the caller identified himself as an associate of Goldy Brar, demanded ₹1 crore in extortion money from the family, and threatened dire consequences if the amount was not paid. The same demand and threat were allegedly reiterated in a subsequent call. Given the gravity of the matter, the Roop Nagar police registered an FIR (No. 162/2026, dated September 17, 2026) under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and initiated an investigation.
The threat originating from an international number posed a challenge for the police. Consequently, the North District STF, in collaboration with the Roop Nagar police, launched a technical and intelligence-based investigation. During the investigation, an IP address (51.91.249.248) linked to the French company OVH SAS was identified. According to the police, this indicated the use of a VPS and data center-based technical infrastructure.
An examination of digital accounts revealed a Dubai connection; police discovered that an individual named Abuzar had traveled to Dubai on June 13, 2026. Additionally, leads were pursued based on Usman's SIM card and the IMEI number of a mobile phone. Police interrogated Zubair, Maroof, and Usman in Dehradun and Karnal. Based on technical analysis and interrogations, the police determined that the threatening call originated from an individual named Aarish in Dubai—identified as the brother of Usman and Abuzar.
The investigation brought to light the name of Arif, alias 'Pistol'. According to the police, Arif—a resident of Rasulpur Gujran in Shamli—allegedly enticed Aarish (who was in Dubai) with the promise of a large sum of money and instructed him to speak in the Haryanvi dialect. The aim was to make the threat originating from abroad sound like the voice of a local criminal. This provided the police with a crucial link to the alleged India-Dubai network.
During the investigation, the police uncovered another startling detail. On September 19, 2026, the brother of Manoj Malik—a construction businessman from Rohini Sector-1—received two WhatsApp calls from the same Dubai-based number. According to the police, following the calls made at 10:11 PM and 10:12 PM, an audio message lasting approximately 37 seconds was also sent. The caller identified himself as Vikrant from Mahendragarh, claimed an association with the Goldy Brar gang, and demanded a payment of ₹1 crore within 48 hours. He threatened dire consequences, including a shooting incident, if the money was not paid. In this matter, FIR No. 0520/2026, dated September 24, 2026, was registered at the Vijay Vihar police station in Rohini.
As the investigation progressed, the police reportedly learned of a plan to fire multiple rounds at the home of a businessman from Roop Nagar if an extortion demand was not met. According to the police, this plot had been hatched approximately two days prior to the intended incident. Upon receiving this information, the police stepped up security arrangements around the victim's residence. The police claim that this prompt action thwarted the planned shooting before it could be executed; in other words, the long arm of the law reached the criminals before the weapons could reach their hands.
Based on technical surveillance and ground-level intelligence, the police team received information regarding Arif's presence in Ahmedabad. Subsequently, a joint team comprising the STF and the Roop Nagar police station, with the assistance of the Ahmedabad Police, arrested Arif—alias 'Pistol', son of Inam—from Vejalpur, Ahmedabad, on September 24, 2026. According to the police, Arif has emerged as a key Indian link in this alleged India-Dubai extortion network. Police records indicate that between 2016 and 2026, 12 cases were registered against him at the Kairana police station in Shamli district, involving charges such as attempted murder, extortion, criminal intimidation, rioting, and violations of the Arms Act.
According to the police investigation, the role of Mubarik, alias Gullu, has emerged as that of the main conspirator. Mubarik, a resident of Titwara, was allegedly involved in the entire plan; he arranged accommodation for the shooters in Delhi's Kirari area and paid the rent for the room. Police state that four alleged shooters were deployed for the firing incident. Two of them are reportedly from Panipat, while the other two are from the Khalapar area of Muzaffarnagar. Some of these individuals remain at large, and efforts to locate them are ongoing.
Mubarik, alias Gullu, was arrested in Delhi on September 25, 2026.The third accused, Nawab Ali alias Sonij—a resident of Khalapar, Muzaffarnagar—has been identified by the police as one of the four shooters allegedly prepared for the crime. According to the police, he was attempting to flee by train on October 1, 2026. He was apprehended on a moving train near Rewari through the timely assistance of the police and the RPF. The operation to nab the accused from the moving train marked another significant milestone in the police investigation.
The police state that the investigation is ongoing. A search is underway for the other accused, including the four alleged shooters. Communication records, digital evidence, and financial transactions are being scrutinized to identify the alleged 'caller' based in Dubai and to uncover his network. The police view the demand for ₹1 crore in extortion—made to two Delhi businessmen from a single UAE-based number—as a crucial lead in the case. Investigative agencies are also determining whether this network has targeted other individuals in a similar manner. According to the police, the full picture of this alleged India-Dubai extortion network is expected to emerge once the investigation is complete.
The entire operation was conducted under the supervision of North District DCP Niharika Bhatt and led by ACP (Operations) Vishal Dhattarwal, Inspector Ashish Dubey (STF, North District), and Inspector Ramesh Kaushik (SHO, Roop Nagar Police Station). The team included SI Sartaj, ASI Rajiv, ASI Sahir, Head Constables Mukul Tyagi, Ashish, Nishant, and Parveen; Constables Nishant, Mayank, Varun, and Nishant Kaushik; SI Harshit (Investigating Officer, Roop Nagar Police Station); and other police personnel.
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