Bhagwant Mann Govt Launches Reward Policy, Punjab Police Unveils 28 Most Wanted Criminals List

The Punjab Government has formalised a reward policy under the Gangstran Te Vaar drive to encourage informants who provide credible tips on wanted criminals, with safeguards for anonymity and variable sanctions by police ranks. The Anti-Gangster Helpline supports community cooperation and targeted operations against organised crime.

The Punjab Government has cleared a new reward policy that allows Punjab Police to pay informants who share reliable inputs on wanted criminals, gangsters and their networks. A dedicated Anti-Gangster Helpline, 93946-93946, has been announced for tip-offs. Along with the policy, officials also issued a list of 28 most wanted criminals linked to organised crime in the state.

The reward scheme operates under the ongoing 'Gangstran Te Vaar’ drive, which aims to weaken gangster networks and make Punjab safer. Informants will receive money only if the information is accurate and leads to action by Punjab Police. The initiative is designed to bring residents into active partnership with law enforcement, without exposing the identity of those who share tips.

Gangstran Te Vaar reward policy and Punjab Police Anti-Gangster Helpline

Under 'Gangstran Te Vaar’, the Punjab Government has formalised sanction powers for different police ranks to approve rewards. Senior Superintendent of Police can clear up to Rs 1 lakh. Commissioner of Police, Range Inspector General of Police and Deputy Inspector General of Police can permit up to Rs 1.5 lakh. Heads of Wings, such as Special Director General of Police and Additional Director General of Police, can okay rewards up to Rs 2 lakh.

Any payment higher than Rs 2 lakh must be sanctioned by the Director General of Police. Officials said every claim will be assessed on factors like seriousness of the offence, risk to the informer and usefulness of the details shared. Reward amounts will not be fixed in advance and will instead be decided case by case after verification of the inputs.

Punjab Government reward policy, Gangstran Te Vaar campaign and informant protection

Explaining how the policy will work, Additional Director General of Police, Anti-Gangster Task Force, Pramod Ban said, "Punjab Government has approved the above mentioned sanction powers for the designated police personnel. The information will be verified first, and the informants will be awarded as per the criteria. The identity of the informants will not be disclosed or made public at any level of police, public or government."

Pramod Ban stated that the wider goal is to choke every support system for criminal gangs. "The aim is to close all doors from criminals and gangsters working in the state, and the Punjab Government aims to go to any extent for achieving this aim," informed Pramod Ban, ADGP, AGTF. Officials emphasised that secrecy around informants will be maintained across all stages.

Punjab Police Anti-Gangster Helpline and Gangstran Te Vaar operations

The information can be shared at 'Anti-Gangster Helpline' 9394693946. According to Pramod Ban, "The informants providing credible info that leads to the arrest of wanted criminals, Proclaimed and Habitual Offenders will be awarded. The Punjab Police will follow the leads provided by the informants. This project will also give extra wings to the Punjab Police network in stopping the trouble makers."

Officials said intelligence gathered from public inputs will also support ongoing efforts under operation Prahaar. "The information gathered through this project (will be further) used for enhancing 'Gangstran Te Vaar' under operation Prahaar," said Pramod Ban. Police described it as a high-quality reward programme, centred on safety of tipsters and effective use of every lead for field action by teams.

Sharing further details, Pramod Ban added, "We want more and more people come forward to help the government and police denting the criminal activity in the state. To safeguard each and every resident of this state is our duty and responsibility. We would entrust the information only after proper vetting, and there's no question of any danger to the informant." This underlined the promise of anonymity and scrutiny.

As part of the 'Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign, Punjab Police recently carried out 56,487 raids at identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters. Some of these sites were traced using information sent on the special mobile number introduced by the Bhagwant Mann led government. All district police units and the Anti-Gangster Task Force have been jointly running these operations.

Since the launch of the campaign, 19,894 arrests have been reported across Punjab. Preventive action has been initiated against 9353 individuals. Another 15284 persons were detained, checked and then released after questioning. Police have also arrested 851 proclaimed offenders during these drives, which focus on networks that support wanted criminals and gangsters.

Residents can continue to share information on wanted criminals, gangsters, crime and related activity through the Anti-Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946. Officials stressed that calls and messages can be sent without revealing identity, and that every credible lead will be examined. The new reward policy is intended to strengthen this cooperation and support the wider effort to curb organised crime in Punjab.