MUMBAI – The Mumbai Crime Branch has issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) for Harichandra, popularly known as “Harry Boxer,” a suspected operative of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The move follows a high-profile investigation into a ₹20 crore ransom demand made to Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh.
The threat, delivered via a series of WhatsApp voice notes to the actor’s manager, has prompted authorities to heighten security for the star as they probe a broader intimidation campaign against the Indian film industry.
Digital Forensics and VPN Usage
Investigators revealed that the perpetrator used a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to hide his digital footprint, making it appear as though the messages originated from a Caribbean-based number.
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Voice Identification: The Mumbai Police collaborated with authorities in Punjab and Haryana to conduct forensic voice analysis. Experts confirmed that the audio matched the voice profile of Harry Boxer, a Rajasthan-born criminal believed to be operating from Canada.
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The Message: The sender explicitly identified himself as a Bishnoi gang member, warning the actor of severe consequences for his family if the ransom was not met.
Connection to the Rohit Shetty Case
The Crime Branch is treating this threat as part of a coordinated extortion racket that recently targeted filmmaker Rohit Shetty.
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Shooting Incident: On January 31, 2026, gunshots were fired outside Shetty’s residence in Juhu. The Bishnoi syndicate later claimed responsibility for the act on social media.
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MCOCA Applied: Police have arrested 12 suspects in the Shetty case, including the alleged gunman, Deepak Sharma. Due to the organized nature of the crime, the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) has been invoked.
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Court Updates: Five of the accused, including Pune-based individuals Aditya Gaikki and Siddharth Yenpure, were recently produced in an MCOCA court and remain in police custody until February 23.
Security Escalation in Bollywood
With threats also surfacing against other actors like Aayush Sharma, the Mumbai Police have intensified surveillance around several film sets. Ranveer Singh’s manager has already recorded a detailed statement, and the Anti-Extortion Cell is currently tracking the financial trails and digital logs of the suspects.
The issuance of the LOC ensures that Harichandra will be detained at any Indian airport or port should he attempt to enter or transit through the country.