Assam Advisory Board approves gangster Bhagwanpuria’s detention for one year

The Advisory Board constituted by the Assam Government has approved one-year detention of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act. He was sent to Silchar Jail by the Narcotics Control Bureau, Chandigarh, in March.

The NCB had detained the gangster and sent him to Assam on the grounds that he was continuing drug smuggling from the Bathinda high-security jail. The detention was subject to an approval by the Advisory Board.

Bhagwanpuria is the first Punjab-based gangster detained under the PIT-NDPS Act. He is one of the key conspirators in the Sidhu Moosewala killing case, in which he provided two shooters and logistic support.

Sources said the Advisory Board’s decision was based on substantial evidence proving his involvement in drug trafficking, misuse of mobile phones inside prison and continued criminal operations while incarcerated.

The Advisory Board comprised Justice Ajit Borthakur (Chairman), Bikram Choudhury (member) and Padmadhar Nayak (member). They observed statements from co-accused individuals, seizures of electronic devices, cellphones, WhatsApp calls and messages and surveillance data that confirmed his active role in illegal activities.

Reports indicate that he maintained direct connections with drug traffickers outside jail, frequently communicating with criminals settled in the US and Canada.

He is heavily involved in large-scale drug smuggling, particularly cross-border trafficking from Pakistan and other neighbouring countries, using networks in Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi.

Punjab