 "Bajrang Singh, a former NSG commando was kingpin of a sprawling multi-state cannabis (ganja) smuggling racket and carried a Rs 25,000 reward on his head. He was finally nabbed after a two-month-long chase by authorities. Image courtesy: X")
He was once hailed as a hero, an NSG commando who fought terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Today, that same man stands accused of running a drug empire.
Bajrang Singh was arrested in Rajasthan’s Churu on Wednesday night with 200 kg of cannabis, which police say was trafficked from Telangana and Odisha.
Once decorated for his bravery, he is now branded the kingpin of a sprawling multi-state cannabis (ganja) smuggling racket and carried a Rs 25,000 reward on his head. He was finally nabbed after a two-month-long chase under ‘Operation Gaanjaney,’ led by the state’s ATS and Anti-Narcotics Task Force.
But how did a man who once defended the nation slip into the world of crime? Here’s a closer look at his journey.
Life as an NSG commando
Bajrang Singh, a native of Rajasthan ’s Sikar district, dropped out of school after Class 10. But his towering six-foot frame and strong fitness levels opened the door for him to join the Border Security Force (BSF).
As a BSF constable, Singh was posted across several states, including Punjab, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha and West Bengal. His commitment to duty soon caught the attention of his seniors, who recommended him for the National Security Guard (NSG), India’s elite counter-terror force.
For the next seven years, Singh served as an NSG commando. His most defining moment came in 2008, when he was part of the operation to neutralise the Pakistan-sponsored Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which had left at least 166 people dead, including 26 foreign nationals.
But after retiring from service in 2021, Singh’s life took a very different and unfortunate turn.
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Entry into the world of crime
After leaving service, Singh returned to his village with political ambitions. He threw himself into party work and even fielded his wife in the panchayat elections. Though she lost, the attempt earned Singh visibility and influence in the area.
According to a senior police officer, Singh’s stint in politics introduced him to people with criminal ties. It was during this time that he learned about the immense profits of the ganja trade through one such associate.
Drawing on his past experience in Odisha during his BSF postings, Singh reconnected with old contacts in Odisha and Telangana. Slowly, he established links with those already active in the illegal trade.
His rise was quick. Within a year, Singh had moved beyond small dealings and positioned himself as a major player in the syndicate. Unlike low-level smugglers, he dealt in large consignments, taking on the dangerous job of moving quintals of cannabis across state borders.
Over time, several cases were registered against him, including one in his home district of Sikar after large quantities of ganja were seized. In 2023, he was caught near Hyderabad with two quintals of the banned drug but was released on bail.
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How the drug kingpin was nabbed
Bajrang Singh managed to stay under the radar for months, despite being on the police’s watchlist.
According to NDTV, Rajasthan’s ATS and ANTF had been tracking him for two months, trying to uncover the masterminds behind the ganja trade. Singh went to great lengths to hide his identity, using fake mobile IDs and moving between remote villages.
One tip ultimately cracked the case: Singh always travelled with a trusted Odiya cook. Security agencies traced the cook’s relatives, which eventually led them to Singh’s hideout in Ratangarh, reported the Indian Express.
The police did not arrest him immediately, realising that such a move against a former commando could be dangerous. They quietly followed him to his secret hideouts, and only after proper planning, they executed a surprise raid.
“This operation was a result of weeks of planning and intelligence sharing. The arrest of a hardened operative like Bajrang is a significant achievement in neutralising the terror-narcotics nexus in Rajasthan,” Inspector General of Police Vikas Kumar said.
With Singh now in custody, police hope the operation will disrupt the large-scale ganja smuggling network from Odisha and Telangana into Rajasthan, delivering a major blow to the state’s drug trade.
With input from agencies