The FBI has added Indian national Nitish Kaushal, also known as Lala, to its Most Wanted list, stepping up its global hunt for transnational organised crime networks that are based in Punjab.
Such allegations have been made in the past few years that Kaushal has been linked with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Organised Crime Group (OCG), which investigators say has penetrated beyond India to North America and other regions.
Kaushal is wanted by the FBI for involvement in a number of organised criminal activities, including murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, weapons trafficking, money laundering and human smuggling, the agency said. U.S. authorities have described him as armed and dangerous and warned that he is a significant flight risk.
A federal arrest warrant was issued on June 25, 2026, by the US District Court for the Central District of California against Kaushal and the Bhagwanpuria crime syndicate for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy.
The law is frequently used in the United States to prosecute organised criminal enterprises. Kaushal was involved in violent operations by the Bhagwanpuria crime syndicate, the FBI said.
The Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang started in Punjab but has established an international network over the years. The federal government believes the organisation has been involved in cross-border criminal activities, meaning cooperation between Indian and foreign authorities is getting in the driver’s seat.
Now the FBI is taking action because of high-level organised crime groups operating across countries that are using sophisticated financial and logistical networks.
Kaushal's inclusion on the FBI's Most Wanted list is a part of a global campaign to combat the Bhagwanpuria network. The authorities in the US, Canada, and Europe have organized investigations and raids to take down the syndicate’s activities. Public assistance is to be sought and Kaushal is to be arrested, the FBI says.
But, as India and abroad have been aware, the case has laid bare the growing global reach of organised crime groups from South Asia. Security experts say such networks often use international borders to evade arrest and continue illegal activities through associates and financial channels spread across multiple countries.
As investigations go on, law enforcement agencies should build up intelligence sharing and cross-border cooperation to disrupt criminal organisations operating internationally.
The FBI stated again that anyone who has credible information about Nitish Kaushal's location should contact the nearest FBI office or the nearest US Embassy or Consulate immediately.
