FBI arrests Indian gang associate Nitish Kaushal in Vermont

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Thursday that Nitish Kaushal, an Indian national alleged to be an associate of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria organised crime group, was captured in Vermont. Kaushal had been placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list earlier in the week and was wanted on a federal arrest warrant issued June 25, 2026, by the Central District of California for racketeering‑influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO) conspiracy.

The arrest is part of the broader “Operation Hard Ball” crackdown that has targeted the transnational criminal syndicate, which the FBI says originated in Punjab, India, and operates in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Prosecutors allege the group is involved in murder, kidnapping, drug and weapons trafficking, extortion, money laundering and human smuggling, and that Kaushal personally carried out kidnappings and assaults on its behalf. The FBI warned that he should be considered armed, dangerous and a flight risk. If convicted, Kaushal faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in federal prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment.