PANAJI
Wanted criminal Pavan Solanki had just spent a large amount of cash in one of the off-shore casinos when Panaji and Sadarpura (Rajasthan) police nabbed him in connection with a robbery case registered against him at his native.
According to the police, the 32-year-old, an active member of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi gang, was a regular visitor to Goa’s casinos.
On Thursday, Sadarpura police’s search ended when a joint operation led to Solanki’s arrest for looting Jesaram, a businessman of several lakhs of rupees.
“Our counterparts had a clue that Solanki might be hiding in Goa. On Thursday, when the Panaji police visited the suspected locations with his identity details, they were informed about his presence in one of the vessels after which he was arrested,” a senior officer told The Goan. The criminal was taken back to Sadarpura on the same day.
It is learnt that Solanki is a regular visitor to off-shore and on-shore casinos where he spends a large amount of money earned through loot or extortion, on gambling. “This lead was enough to nail him,” the officer added.
The criminal is facing multiple cases registered against him at various police stations in different States. His links with Bishnoi have been confirmed by the police, even though the accused apparently claimed he is working independently after severing ties with the latter.
As per reports, both met in a Jodhpur jail in 2017 where they joined hands. After his release, Solanki began working for Bishnoi and developed his leader’s networks.
Bishnoi came to the limelight after he threatened actor Salman Khan and his father Salim Khan on several occasions, and has cases registered against him at various police stations. The gangster has been operating criminal activities from jail.
Solanki was arrested from Goa about five years ago for creating gang war culture Rajasthan.
Another senior officer told The Goan that Rajasthan police conveyed to it's counterparts in Goa that Solanki has been inactive, though he continues to remain a gang member.
Bishnoi and Solanki's involved had also emerged in the brutal killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala.
As per Jodhpur police records, about two years ago, Solanki had created a video threatening his own gang members after he learnt that his companions were increasing their stature and have started challenging him.
