GUWAHATI: Gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, lodged in Assam’s Silchar Central Jail since March 2025, is allegedly operating criminal networks in both Punjab and Assam from the jail, Assam Congress president and MP Gaurav Gogoi has alleged in the recent past.
ALSO READ: Heavy Rain Triggers Major Landslide In Sikkim’s Rimbi, Houses Damaged
Assam Police, however, denied the allegation, stating that there was no evidence of criminal activity or social media use by the inmate.
Gogoi said he had been raising concerns over Bhagwanpuria’s alleged activities for several months and maintained that the gangster continued to operate his network despite Assam Police denying the allegations.
“He is still operating the network,” Gogoi alleged, claiming that Bhagwanpuria had been seen making video calls while lodged at Silchar Central Jail.
Gogoi alleged that Bhagwanpuria was allowed to come out of jail and visit Punjab frequently and blamed the ruling government for supporting criminals.
Assam Police this week issued a statement saying there was no evidence to support allegations that the inmate was carrying out criminal activity from inside Silchar Central Jail.
Assam Police said in its statement that “speculations made regarding an inmate, Jaggu Bhagwanpuri, presently lodged in Silchar Central Jail” were “unsubstantiated”.
The police said reports in July had referred to a US government report concerning an operation against criminals in the country, which also mentioned Bhagwanpuria. However, the US report “said nothing of him being lodged in Silchar Jail or any current activities from Silchar Jail,” the police statement read.
Assam Police added that a detailed inspection was conducted at Silchar Central Jail on July 11 by the Cachar district magistrate, Cachar senior superintendent of police and senior jail authorities.
“During the enquiry and search no activity or digital devices were found,” the statement said.
According to Assam Police, the jailer and other staff were also questioned and briefed, and instructions were issued for heightened vigilance, monitoring and prevention of misuse of communication channels or unlawful activity.
Police said three Instagram accounts in the name of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria were examined. Two were created in 2016-17 and had their last posts in 2017, while the third was created in 2023 and had no posts.
“Based on the verification conducted and the existing records available, there was no evidence ever found to suggest that the concerned inmate, Jaggu Bhagwapuria had indulged in any social media activity during his incarceration at Silchar Central Jail,” the police said.
The police said this “prima facie indicates that the allegations regarding criminal activity by the Bhagwanpuria from within the Silchar jail are not supported by any facts” and added that drawing such an inference about his activities during incarceration was “mischievous”.
Bhagwanpuria was shifted to Silchar Central Jail from Punjab in March 2025. There were reportedly nearly 130 cases against him related to drugs, murders and other serious crimes.