Networking is not just limited to websites. Ganglords lodged in jails are increasingly using their public relations skills to keep their dominance intact over the extortion business.

Infamous gangster Bindu Singh, who is languishing in Beur Central Jail for more than five years, is allegedly brainwashing youngsters between the age group of 18 and 25 years inside the prison walls to create a network to carry out abductions.

The fact came to light with the arrest of seven criminals, all youths, involved in kidnapping a businessman based in Patna City. Police have, however, rescued the victim, Abhay Singh and his associate Chandrakant Singh, from Hotel Holiday Inn in Purnea on Monday evening. Abhay is the owner of Garima Aqua Beverage Private Limited, which he runs from Alamganj in Patna.

“Chandrakant is the manager of the company. They were abducted on June 19 morning. The family members of the victims lodged an FIR on June 23. The FIR stated that the kidnappers had demanded Rs 10 lakh from Abhay’s family for the release of the duo,” Patna senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaj said.

On the basis of tip-offs, one Chotu alias Shivam was arrested from Patrakar Nagar.

“The man, known to be an aide of Bindu, is a hardened criminal. During interrogations, the man spilled the beans and Abhay and Chandrakant were rescued from a hotel. Six more criminals were arrested from the hotel,” the senior officer added.

Sources said the seven criminals are trusted henchmen of Bindu. “Bindu operates from the jail. That he has been successful in forming a network of criminals who work under his control in different districts is startling. These petty criminals further instigate others to join the gang,” a police officer said.

On how they function, the officer said: “There have been several raids in the Beur jail and cellphones have been recovered. Inside the jail, Bindu has a group of petty offenders. They get out of the prison and carry out his orders.”