The Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) arrested alleged gangster Rajaram alias Raju Manju from Jaipur by posing as an arms supplier as part of an ongoing campaign against organised crime in Rajasthan.
The ANTF executed the operation using a strategic approach after receiving information that Raju Manju was seeking contacts for illegal arms transactions in Jaipur. The police team posed as arms suppliers and established contact with him. After gaining his trust, he was persuaded to meet at a park in the Mansarovar area of Jaipur.
To ensure the success of the operation, the police maintained surveillance around the park for approximately three days. During this period, one personnel monitored suspicious activities while posing as a tea vendor at a local stall.
According to police, Raju Manju arrived alone at the park wearing a red cap and black sunglasses as a pre-arranged identification signal. As soon as he reached the designated location, the police team surrounded and apprehended him.
During the arrest, he claimed that he had adopted an “agent-style” method of meeting after watching a recent web series in an attempt to avoid detection by police.
Raju Manju has more than 36 serious criminal cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, robbery, and illegal arms and narcotics trafficking. A reward of Rs 75,000 had been announced for his arrest by police in Jodhpur Rural, Phalodi, and Sri Ganganagar.
The operation was named “Operation Madmarjar.” According to officials, Raju Manju was considered highly cautious and operated discreetly like a cat. His associates reportedly referred to him as “Billa.” The name combines “Marjar,” a synonym for cat, and “Mad,” referring to rising arrogance.
Raju Manju entered the criminal world around 2013, initially engaging in minor offences before gradually expanding his network. In 2017–18, he formed the “007 gang” with associate Shyam Puniya. After Puniya was jailed, Raju Manju assumed leadership and established the gang as an active criminal organisation in western Rajasthan.
The gang later engaged in conflicts with rival groups including the 0029 gang, Sarpanch gang, and Ujaram gang, leading to incidents of violence and firing in multiple locations.
Investigating agencies stated that Raju Manju expanded his operations beyond local crimes. He allegedly built an extortion network targeting contractors associated with the Bharatmala road project and toll plazas.
He was also involved in illegal arms trade and used social media to display and promote weapons. In later years, he developed links with narcotics trafficking networks, extending his influence from Jodhpur to Sri Ganganagar.
Officials stated that Raju Manju attempted to create a social worker image to conceal his criminal activities. He established an organisation named “Ramdev Gaushala” and participated in public events to present himself as a social worker.
The platform was also allegedly used for collecting funds and recruiting youths into the gang. He reportedly had more than 200,000 followers on social media, which he used to expand his influence.
Authorities consider the arrest a major development in the crackdown on organised crime in western Rajasthan. Officials stated that the arrest is expected to increase pressure on several active criminal networks in the region.
They also indicated that the operation may disrupt illegal arms supply chains and narcotics trafficking networks.
