In a major breakthrough, foreign-based most wanted gangster Goldy Brar — the mastermind behind Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala murder — has been detained in California by the US authorities. Confirming the development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that Brar would soon be brought to the state.

As per the information available, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which has reportedly arrested Brar about 10 days back, had received a tip-off from the Indian agencies about the gangster’s location, following which the US authorities acted swiftly to locate him and putting him under round-the-clock surveillance immediately. It has been learnt that Brar was tracked by the FBI after he illegally entered the US from Canada.

It has also been learnt that the India’s law enforcement agencies have also swing into action to ensure his deportation at the earliest. The process to furnish all the documents, related to the cases against him, to the US authorities have already been initiated.

Wanted in several cases, Goldy Brar hit the headlines when he “confessed” of having engineered the killing of globally-renowned Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, along with the jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. He is also alleged to be a key conspirator in the recent shootout of Dera Sacha Sauda follower in November in coordination with the Sikh radical groups.

Interestingly, the news of Brar’s arrest came a day after Sidhu Moosewala’s father Balkaur Singh had sought from the Punjab Government of Punjab Police to announce Rs two crore reward for anyone helping in nabbing the wanted gangster. Singh had even went on to offer money from his own pocket if the Government does not have the same.

As per the information available, Goldy Brar had been living in Fresno city and had safe-houses in Sacramento, and Salt Lake also, before he was detained in California around 10 days back. Sources in the intelligence agencies maintained that Brar worked as a trucker, and had recently shifted to the US as he was being tracked and was also on the radar of rival gangs.

Brar has been on a lookout of safe places, not only from the police, but also the members of the rival gangs, who have declared to avenge Sidhu Moosewala’s killing. Also, he has been on a run after the issuance of two red-corner notices against him.

In July this year, two men, who looked like Goldy Brar, were attacked by a rival gang. They were beaten severely and their lives were spared only after the matter of mistaken identity was understood.

Satinderjit Singh, alias Goldy Brar, is believed to be in his late 20s. A native of Muktsar district in Punjab's southern belt bordering Haryana and Rajasthan, Brar had left India on a student visa for Canada in 2017.

Even as the Delhi and Punjab Police have been able to arrest the shooters and others who aided Moosewala’s murder, Goldy Brar remained out of police net as he was operating from abroad, believed to be from Canada.

The Indian authorities sought international help, and issued red corned notices — which allows the arrest and detention of a fugitive abroad. In June, Interpol issued red-corner notices against Goldy Brar after a request was sent by the Punjab Police to the Interpol through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The global warrant allows 194 member countries to trace and arrest a suspect in their territories.

Brar has been a key member of a gang run by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi — currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail. Both became friends during their student politics days in Chandigarh in the late 2000s to early 2010s.

Brar will Definitely be Brought to India Soon: CM

Confirming the development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that the most-wanted gangster Goldy Brar has been detained in the US and he will “definitely be brought to India soon”.

“The news came today morning only… Being the Head of the State I tell you that a big gangster sitting in Canada, Goldy Brar has been detained in America…they have contacted the Government and Punjab Police. He will be in the custody of Punjab Police very soon,” Mann said in Ahmedabad, where he is campaigning for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the second phase of the Gujarat assembly elections on December 5.

“I am telling you...that California police have detained him. They have contacted the Indian government and the Punjab Police and informed them about his detention. They have asked whether he needs to be deported,” Mann said while addressing the media.

“We will definitely bring Goldy Brar to India as per the treaty with America so that the families that have lost their sons and daughters find some solace. Brar was the main mastermind, and there are others as well whose records are with us,” he said.

He said that Brar used to get his work done through Pakistan using a gang. “We are discussing the issue at the international level so that others are brought here. They will be interrogated and there may be more revelations...Goldy Brar will be very soon in the custody of Punjab Police,” Mann said.

‘Gangster culture will soon end in Punjab: Mann

Chief Minister Mann also declared that the prevailing gangster culture in Punjab will soon come to an end. “This gangster culture in Punjab will end soon. They are sitting outside (the country) that's why we are bound to go through a proper channel,” he said.

“Recently, we, through the Union Home ministry, made Interpol issue a red-corner notice against Goly Brar. We have come to know that he has been detained and soon he will be extradited to India. He is behind big murder cases and he will receive harshest punishment as per law,” he added.

Moosewala's father seeks thorough probe into son’s murder

Day after slain Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moosewala's father Balkaur Singh sought Rs two crore as reward for any information on the whereabouts of mastermind Goldy Brar, he welcomed the detention while demanding thorough investigation into his son’s murder case.

Expressing happiness, he said that the case will reach its logical conclusion only if Brar, Lawrence Bishnoi and the others accused in his son’s brutal killing are interrogated thoroughly.

“I am ready to give more time to the government to catch all those accused in the matter…I welcome this development if Goldy Brar has been held…I appreciate the efforts of agencies and others who are behind this,” said Balkaur Singh.

Earlier, while issuing an ultimatum to the state government, Balkaur Singh had said that he would leave the country with his wife, if all accused were not held by November 25. Later, the couple moved to the UK for a few days and returned to their home in Punjab’s Mansa.

On Thursday, Singh demanded that the government should declare a reward of Rs two crore on Goldy Brar and that if it did not have the money, he would pay from his pocket.