Punjab Police secured the deportation of fugitive gangster Jobanjit Singh, alias Joban Billa, from Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 25, 2026. Wanted in four murder cases and multiple heinous crimes, Billa was tracked for six months under an international operation before being taken into custody in Mumbai.
Operation Nomad Hunt and the Jakarta Arrest
The six-month international manhunt concluded on July 20, 2026, when authorities detained Jobanjit Singh, widely known as Joban Billa, in Jakarta, Indonesia. Following his detention, the fugitive was deported to India and taken into custody by Punjab Police officers at Mumbai Airport.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav detailed the international effort, crediting sustained global surveillance and close coordination with central, national, and international agencies for the breakthrough.
“The operation marks the successful culmination of Operation Nomad Hunt—a six-month-long intelligence-led international manhunt involving sustained surveillance, strategic intelligence gathering and close coordination with national and international agencies.”
DGP Gaurav Yadav, Punjab Police
Investigators traced Billa’s movements across multiple countries before his capture in Indonesia. According to police findings, the accused initially fled India on January 9, 2025, using a passport issued in Lucknow on March 8, 2024, prepared under the fake particulars of a resident from Gorakhpur. Before reaching Jakarta, Billa hid out in the United Arab Emirates and Georgia.
Criminal Charges and Extradition Proceedings
Billa faces a extensive list of serious criminal charges across more than 12 cases in Punjab, including four separate murder investigations, attempts to murder, extortion, and violations of the NDPS Act and the Arms Act. Operating as a key operative of the Bambiha-Doni Bal gang, he allegedly directed an extortion network targeting local businesses through associates back home.
Additional Director General of Police Promod Ban outlined the specific murder cases tied to the fugitive. The charges include the May 25, 2023, killing of gangster Jarnail Singh outside a flour mill in Sathiala village; the January 2024 murder of Deepu Ajnala; and the March 2025 murders of 12-year-old Gursewak Singh and Vicky Chugh.
Authorities also connected Billa to multiple recent extortion and shooting cases in the Amritsar rural belt. On May 18, 2025, police booked him after an extortion demand of ₹50 lakh was placed against a local family. Additional FIRs followed on July 7, 2025, for a ₹30 lakh extortion demand directed at a grocery shop owner, and on July 19, 2025, after armed motorcyclists opened fire outside a bakery following a ₹40 lakh demand.
The Role of OFTEC in Transnational Crime
Established in January, the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell functions to bridge procedural gaps that previously caused delays when investigations stalled at local police station levels.
Headed by Inspector General of Police Ashish Choudhary, OFTEC monitors absconding criminals operating across the United States, United Arab Emirates, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other jurisdictions. The specialized cell handles Interpol notices—including Red Corner and Blue Corner notices—alongside extradition requests and Mutual Legal Assistance Requests. Prior to Billa’s case, OFTEC facilitated the extradition of Bhuvnesh Chopra alias Ashish from a Central Asian country.
To secure Billa’s return, law enforcement issued a Red Corner Notice and submitted five separate Interpol references while sharing fake passport data with central authorities at regular intervals.
Judicial Custody and Next Steps
Following his arrival in Mumbai, an Amritsar police team took custody of the accused and produced him before a local court. The judiciary granted a four-day transit remand, moving Billa toward Beas for intensive custodial interrogation.
Kanwalpreet Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police for Amritsar Rural, noted that questioning the deported operative is expected to yield crucial leads regarding active extortion networks and local associates operating within the region.
