Punjab Govt Announces Reward Policy, Releases List of 28 Most Wanted Criminals

April 12, 2026

Chandigarh: The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has introduced a new reward policy aimed at strengthening the fight against crime and encouraging public participation in identifying wanted criminals and gangsters. Along with this, the government has also released a list of 28 most wanted criminals in the state.

Structured Reward System Under ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’

Under the initiative ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’, Punjab Police personnel have been authorised to reward informants who provide credible information about criminals or their networks. The policy outlines a structured reward system, granting sanctioning powers to different ranks of officers.

Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) can approve rewards up to ₹1 lakh, while Commissioners of Police, Range IGs, and DIGs can sanction up to ₹1.5 lakh. Heads of wings, including ADGPs and Special DGPs, have the authority to approve rewards up to ₹2 lakh, whereas amounts exceeding ₹2 lakh will require approval from the Director General of Police (DGP).

Officials stated that the reward will be given only after proper verification of the information, and the amount will depend on factors such as the quality of input, risk involved, and gravity of the offence.

Confidentiality Assured for Informants

According to Pramod Ban, the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential and will not be disclosed at any level. “The aim is to shut all doors for criminals and gangsters operating in the state. We are committed to ensuring the safety of every resident,” he said.

Citizens can share information through the Anti-Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946, and those providing actionable leads that result in arrests of wanted criminals, proclaimed offenders, or habitual offenders will be eligible for rewards.

Major Crackdown & Ongoing Operations

The policy is part of the ongoing ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign, which seeks to make Punjab gangster-free. Under the campaign, the Punjab Police has conducted extensive operations across the state.

So far, 56,487 raids have been carried out at locations linked to gangster networks. A total of 19,894 arrests have been made, while preventive action has been taken against 9,353 individuals. Additionally, 15,284 people were questioned and later released, and 851 proclaimed offenders have been apprehended.

Police officials said the initiative will further strengthen intelligence gathering and help curb criminal activities by involving the public. The government has urged citizens to come forward and share information without fear, assuring full protection and confidentiality.

The move signals a strong push by the Punjab Government to tighten its grip on organized crime and enhance law enforcement efficiency across the state.