Haryana STF brings back fugitive gangster from Georgia
Haryana STF brings back fugitive gangster from Georgia
Haryana STF brings back fugitive gangster – Senior officers from the Haryana Police’s special task force (STF) confirmed the successful extradition of Vainket Garg, a high-profile criminal, from Georgia to India. This marks the first instance of such a deportation from the Eastern European nation to the country, according to a statement issued on Thursday.
Coordinated efforts led to Garg’s return
Vainket Garg, aged 29, was repatriated to India on Thursday after months of joint efforts by domestic and international law enforcement bodies. The STF highlighted the collaborative nature of the operation, which spanned multiple agencies and jurisdictions.
Extradition milestone in 2026
B. Satheesh Balan, the STF’s inspector general, stated that the latest case adds to the force’s tally of 10 successful extraditions or deportations of fugitives in 2026. This achievement underscores the STF’s sustained efforts in tracking down criminals.
“Garg is a proclaimed offender with 34 criminal cases pending in Haryana and Chandigarh, including charges of murder, organized crime, and illegal firearms use,” Balan explained.
Vainket Garg, a 29-year-old native of Chandana Colony in Naraingarh, Ambala district, is accused of leading a criminal network comprising approximately 53 members. The gang is alleged to have committed acts of murder, extortion, and targeted shootings in Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, and Chandigarh.
The STF disclosed that Garg left India on December 10, 2024, for the United Arab Emirates before relocating to Georgia on January 26, 2025. Investigators found he had used forged documents and a fabricated residential address at Pyramid Urban Homes in Gurugram’s Sector 67 to obtain a passport. His passport was revoked in February 2025, following the STF’s recommendation.
“A criminal case was initiated against him for passport fraud, and the Naraingarh police station processed the revocation,” Balan noted.
Before his departure, 23 cases were filed against Garg. Subsequent investigations revealed 11 more charges after evidence surfaced that he was continuing criminal activities via associates while abroad. The gang was implicated in the killing of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Harbilas in Naraingarh and numerous firing incidents in Ambala and Yamunanagar, aimed at instilling fear and securing extortion funds.
To secure his extradition, the STF deployed a range of legal and international tools, including lookout alerts, an INTERPOL Red Corner Notice, open-ended arrest warrants, and a court-issued proclamation of Garg as a fugitive. Information about his presence in Georgia was obtained through global law enforcement networks, prompting the formal extradition process.
The operation involved close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, the National Central Bureau (NCB) in New Delhi, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and Indian diplomatic missions in Georgia and Kazakhstan. The Georgian authorities supported the extradition, while Kazakhstan provided logistical assistance for his transfer.
Officials stated that Garg will appear in court and be placed under remand for further questioning in connection with the charges against him. The case highlights the STF’s international capabilities in apprehending criminals who flee across borders.