Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Aug 29: In a major breakthrough, Goa police on Wednesday traced and apprehended Vishnu Bishnoi (32), a close aide of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, while he was hiding in a hotel at Anjuna along with six of his friends. Vishnu, a native of Rajasthan, is wanted in several cases under the Arms Act and is also a key accused in the sensational murder of Punjab businessman Sanjay Verma.

North Goa SP Rahul Gupta informed that on August 26, Punjab police tipped them off about Vishnu’s presence in Goa and sought assistance to intercept him. Acting swiftly, a 20-member team was constituted under the supervision of Gupta and DIG Range Varsha Sharma, with PI Nikhil Palekar of Mapusa police station and PSI Swapnil Naik of Anjuna police station leading the operation.

The accused was traced to a hotel within Anjuna police station limits. “Vishnu Bishnoi’s custody has been handed over to the Punjab state crime police. The six others found with him have been bound over, as no evidence of their involvement in the case was established,” Gupta stated.

The murder of Sanjay Verma, popularly known as the ‘Kurta Pajama King,’ in Fazilka district on July 7 had triggered widespread outrage in Punjab. Verma was shot dead outside his showroom by three bike-borne assailants, believed to be linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Although gangster Aarzoo Bishnoi later claimed responsibility on social media, police investigations revealed that Lawrence Bishnoi’s network was actively sheltering the shooters. Earlier, three men from Rajasthan were arrested for providing logistical support. Vishnu Bishnoi’s arrest is expected to provide crucial leads in the case.