Sunil Yadav, a wanted drug smuggler implicated in multiple cases in Rajasthan, was killed in a shootout in Stockton City, California. Known for smuggling drugs into India through the Pakistan route, Yadav’s name was linked to a Rs. 300 crore drug consignment seized years ago. His death has sparked intrigue and investigations, with gangster Rohit Godara, an associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claiming responsibility for the killing.
A Smuggler’s Violent End
Sunil Yadav, originally from Abohar in Punjab’s Fazilka district, had a long history of criminal activities. Once closely associated with notorious gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Rohit Godara, Yadav’s life took a turn when he reportedly collaborated with the Punjab police to eliminate Ankit Bhadu, a member of the Bishnoi gang.
According to Godara, this act of betrayal sealed Yadav’s fate. “He had worked with Punjab police to get our brother Ankit Bhadu killed in an encounter. We have avenged him,” Godara stated.
Yadav fled India two years ago using a fake passport under the alias Rahul. He initially relocated to Dubai before settling in the United States. Despite his attempts to evade capture, his past connections and actions caught up with him, culminating in his death in the Stockton shootout.
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A Trail of Crime
Yadav’s criminal history paints a picture of a man deeply entrenched in illegal activities. From orchestrating drug smuggling operations via the Pakistan route to his involvement in violent crimes, Yadav was no stranger to controversy.
Years ago, his name surfaced in connection with a Rs. 300 crore drug consignment, cementing his reputation as a major player in the narcotics trade. He was also implicated in the murder of jeweler Pankaj Soni in Rajasthan’s Ganganagar district. While Rajasthan police managed to secure his arrest in Dubai and bring him back to India, Yadav was released on bail and subsequently fled the country.
Sources in the security establishment believe that Yadav, even while in the US, continued sharing information about members of the Bishnoi gang, further deepening the animosity against him.
Revenge and Responsibility
Rohit Godara, a key figure in the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, openly claimed responsibility for Yadav’s killing. In a statement, Godara alleged that Yadav’s betrayal led to the death of Ankit Bhadu and that his killing was an act of revenge.
“In the US, he was sharing information about our brothers,” Godara claimed, hinting that Yadav’s actions extended beyond his initial betrayal. This assertion has added a layer of complexity to the case, with authorities now probing whether his killing was part of a larger gang rivalry that transcended international borders.
Investigations Underway Post Smuggler’s Death
Police and security agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding Sunil Yadav’s death. The focus is on understanding how the Bishnoi gang managed to orchestrate the killing in a foreign country and whether local contacts or international networks were involved.
Yadav’s use of a fake passport to enter the US and his past dealings have also come under scrutiny. Investigators are piecing together his movements over the last two years to uncover any links that could explain how he became a target abroad.
Meanwhile, the killing has reignited concerns about the reach of Indian criminal networks, highlighting their ability to operate across borders.
A Life of Crime Cut Short
Sunil Yadav’s death marks the end of a life steeped in crime and betrayal. From drug smuggling to murder, his actions left a trail of destruction that eventually turned his former allies against him.
The Stockton shootout underscores the enduring influence of Indian criminal networks, even in international territories. As investigations continue, Yadav’s death serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of a life entwined with crime and betrayal.