TOMS RIVER, N.J. – Four Indiana men charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the October 2024 killing of an Indian national in Manchester Township will remain detained in Ocean County Jail pending trial, a New Jersey judge ruled Thursday.
Judge Wendel E. Daniels ordered Nirmal Singh, 30; Gaurav Singh, 27; Gurdeep Singh, 22; and Sourav Kumar, 23—all of Greenwood, Indiana—to remain in custody on charges related to the death of Kuldeep Kumar, 35, whose body was discovered in a New Jersey wildlife area in December. The men were extradited from Johnson County Jail in Indiana to New Jersey on Jan. 26, 2025.
Authorities say the men, along with a fifth suspect, Sandeep Kumar, 34, of South Ozone Park, New York, lured Kuldeep Kumar from Queens, New York, to a remote area of New Jersey on Oct. 22, 2024, where he was executed. According to court documents, Sourav Kumar allegedly pulled the trigger after the victim reportedly admitted involvement in the death of Sourav’s sister.
Federal and local law enforcement agencies have linked the suspects to the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang, an international criminal organization known for contract killings and narcotics trafficking. The FBI has identified the gang as operating in India, Canada, and the United States, with investigators now probing whether this murder was part of a broader network of transnational crime.
Two of the defendants, Gurdeep Singh and Nirmal Singh, are in the U.S. illegally and face additional immigration detainers filed by ICE. Prosecutors argued that all four defendants posed a significant flight risk, leading Judge Daniels to deny bail.
The case has drawn international attention due to the gang’s alleged involvement, and federal authorities continue to investigate potential ties between the suspects and organized crime operations abroad.
Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Report on the Incident
APPENDIX ASTATE V. SOURAV KUMARSTATE V. GAURAV SINGHOCPO CASE NUMBER: 241200727NJSP CASE NUMBER: H650-2024-00025
The following will detail the joint investigative actions of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Manchester Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, regarding the Murder of Kuldeep Kumar, herein referred to as the decedent. This appendix details the relevant information supporting probable cause for the arrest of Sourav Kumar and Gaurav Singh. Any mention of interviews should be considered abridged summaries, shortened for the necessity of brevity. All witness or suspect statements should be considered words to the effect unless marked with direct quotation.
A. On Saturday, December 14, 2024, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit was contacted by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI in reference to a deceased individual who was located in Greenwood Wildlife Management Area off of Pasadena Road in Manchester Township, NJ (39.899583N, -74.4231944W). It was reported that an off-duty police officer (Det. Travis Seaman) was in the wooded area preparing to hunt when he came upon the deceased individual. Investigative personnel responded to the area to conduct the death investigation.
B. Upon arrival, investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, New Jersey State Police Major Crime Unit, OCSO Crime Scene Investigations Unit, Manchester Police Department, and the Conservation Police Department proceeded to the location and observed a deceased individual in advanced stages of decomposition. The body was clad in a blue shirt, green pants, and blue flip-flop style shoes. The decedent had a bracelet with two engraved names “Gurjeet” and “Kuldeep” on the right wrist. Four (4) 9mm shell casings were found in close proximity to the body. No trauma was able to be observed due to the decomposition and scavenger activity. Dr. Giles of the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and pronounced the decedent at 1805 hours. New Jersey State Police CSI responded to the scene and processed the decedent and the surrounding area. OCSD CSI ran a Leica scan of the scene. NJSP CSI collected the shell casings which will be entered into NIBIN. Oliverie Funeral Home responded and transported the decedent to Community Medical Center for post-mortem examination. The scene was secured overnight for further processing.
C. On Sunday, December 15, 2024, Investigating Detectives conducted a grid search of the surrounding area where the decedent was located. As a result of the search, the following items of evidentiary value were collected: four (4) human teeth, an AirPod case containing one (1) headphone with a Serial #HOPLG9SULX2Y, and one (1) additional bullet casing (9mm). Detectives attempted to identify the owner of the AirPods by scanning them in the Bluetooth application through an Apple iPhone. As a result, the AirPods were detected under “Jai Balkari” name.
D. Detective Brylevskaya of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit searched the meaning of “Jai Balkari” on Google. The search revealed that “Jai Balkari” is a slogan associated with the “Bishnoi gang”, a criminal organization in India. The search also stated that the slogan is used to identify gang members and is often chanted before major tasks.
E. On Sunday, December 15, 2024, at approximately 0900 hours, Dr. Ragasa conducted a post-mortem examination upon the decedent. Dr. Ragasa noted nicking to the ribs and sternum. He recovered one projectile from the chest cavity of the decedent. Dr. Ragasa ruled the cause of death to be GUNSHOT WOUNDS TO THE CHEST and the manner of death to be HOMICIDE. The skull of the decedent will be transported to Forensic Anthropologist Anna Delaney for further studies. Blood and urine were collected from the decedent for toxicology studies.
F. Several identification methods were utilized during the post-mortem examination in an attempt to identify the decedent. Special Agent Matt Amendola from FBI Newark responded and attempted to collect fingerprints to be read by an instant fingerprint reader which searches various law enforcement databases. OCSO CSI Latent Fingerprint expert Caitlin McQuade also responded in order to collect fingerprints to send to AFIS.
G. After some time, Special Agent Matt Amendola contacted this writer and advised that the fingerprints of the decedent were identified as Kuldeep Kumar, DOB: 1989. SA Amendola then contacted TFO Derek Kardos of the Enforcement and Removal Operations at US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in order to collect immigration information about the decedent. TFO Kardos provided an address of Ozone Park, NY 11417, and a US point of contact for the decedent: Sanjeev Kumar with the above-referenced address and cell phone. ICE indicated that the decedent was detained for illegal entry into the US in Tucson, AZ, in December of 2023, and then applied for 1589 asylum/withholding of removal status in June of 2024.
H. On Sunday, December 15, 2024, Sergeant Uricks of the OCPO Major Crime Unit contacted the 106th Precinct of the New York Police Department. Sergeant Uricks was advised that the decedent was reported missing on October 26, 2024, by the decedent’s brother, identified as Sanjeev Kumar, DOB 1993 (NYPD Complaint #2024-106-007398). According to the NYPD Incident report, the reporting party stated the following: On October 22, 2024, during the evening hours, the decedent received a phone call from an individual (Sandeep Kumar) asking him to come outside. The decedent stated that he would be right back and got into a yellow taxi cab with the caller and has not returned since. The decedent was described wearing a blue shirt, black sweatpants, and flip flops.
Furthermore, Sergeant Uricks spoke with SDS Mario Di Leo of the NYPD Missing Persons Squad. SDS Di Leo reviewed the initial incident report and the missing person report generated by the Missing Persons Squad. It was relayed that the decedent was visiting from Maine and was scheduled to attend an Asylum meeting in Manhattan during his visit. The decedent’s brother (Mr. Kumar) stated that on the evening of October 22nd, 2024, the decedent received a phone call from the decedent’s wife’s relative to come outside of the residence. Mr. Kumar states that the decedent entered the vehicle with the relative and left the location. Mr. Kumar stated that he has not heard from the decedent since he left that evening and that his cell phone is off. Mr. Kumar further informed that he had been in contact with the decedent’s wife and that she has not heard from the decedent since the day he went missing.
The address provided for the decedent was Biddeford, Maine, and a telephone facility number. Upon taking the missing person report, NYPD contacted the Biddeford Police Department and requested a welfare check for the decedent at Biddeford, Maine, with negative results (Biddeford PD Call #24-39852).
Investigating Detectives responded to the decedent’s last known address located at Ozone Park, NY 11417. Detectives made contact with the decedent’s family members. It should be noted that the conversations with the decedent’s family members were translated from Punjabi with the assistance of NJSP Trooper Singh.
Investigating Detectives spoke with the decedent’s cousin, identified as Kuldip Singh, DOB: 1980. In summary, Singh stated the following: The decedent’s brother (Sanjeev Kumar) currently lives in Indiana and only came to New York to report the decedent missing. Singh stated the decedent came to his residence on October 22nd, 2024, to stay over for a night and was scheduled to attend an Asylum meeting in Manhattan on October 23, 2024. Singh further stated while cooking dinner on October 22nd, 2024, for the decedent and his roommates, the decedent got a call on his cellular phone and ran out of the 2nd floor of the residence in flip flops and got inside of a white vehicle, not a taxi cab as noted in the NYPD report. Singh stated that he has not heard from the decedent since he left in the white vehicle and that his cell phone is off.
During the night of October 22nd, Singh received a phone call from the decedent’s wife from India. The wife advised Singh that the decedent got in the vehicle with Sandeep Kumar. She further stated she was Face Timing the decedent and spoke with Sandeep Kumar in the vehicle.
At some point, Singh spoke with Sandeep Kumar via cellular phone. Sandeep told Singh conflicting stories about where the decedent was dropped off. Further, Singh stated that he responded to NYPD to report the decedent missing. NYPD advised Singh only immediate family members can file the missing report. At which time, Singh notified the decedent’s brother who arrived to New York to file the missing report.
M. Furthermore, Investigating Detectives contacted the decedent’s brother, Mr. Kumar, via telephone. Mr. Kumar was in Arizona for work. In summary, Mr. Kumar stated the following: The decedent came to New York on October 22nd, 2024, to attend an Asylum meeting in Manhattan on October 23rd. On October 22, 2024, the decedent received a phone call from an individual (Sandeep Kumar) asking him to come outside. At which time, the decedent gets into a white in color vehicle and has not returned since. Kumar stated that he has not heard from the decedent since he left that evening.
N. Kumar further stated he received a call from individuals Sourav and Gaurav on November 1st, 2024. During the phone call, Sourav stated “your brother got what he deserved”, “if we can kill one, we can kill more people”, “Don’t get involved with the cops and leave New York or we will come for your family”. Kumar advised that he video recorded the entire phone conversation. The video was forwarded to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and submitted as evidence.
O. It was relayed that Sourav is the decedent’s nephew. Sourav has a brother who was identified as Gaurav. Various law enforcement database searches were conducted to include the assistance from the Federal Agencies on Sourav and Gaurav. Sourav was identified as Sourav Kumar, DOB 2000, out of Hicksville, New York, with a telephone facility number serviced by T-Mobile. Gaurav was identified as Gaurav Singh, DOB: 1997 (multiple addresses on file, to include Greenwood, Indiana) with a telephone facility number serviced by AT&T.
P. It should be noted that the decedent’s family provided the description of the decedent’s clothing on October 22, 2024, when he was last seen leaving the apartment. The clothing description was consistent with the clothing he was located in on December 14, 2024, by members of law enforcement. The decedent’s family also provided a telephone facility number for Sandeep Kumar (herein referred to as the suspect).
Q. Furthermore, the victim’s family also indicated that during the time they reported the decedent missing to the NYPD, they made contact with a business located at [address redacted] – Ozone Park, New York. The business had a surveillance camera located on the outside of the dwelling. This writer reviewed the surveillance video dated October 22, 2024, at approximately 1713 hours. It was relayed that the time on the video was off by approximately 4 hours (the accurate time would be 21:13 hours). This writer observed a white vehicle parked across the street from the victim’s apartment. The vehicle appeared to be on and had the rear lights on. After a short time, a male depicting the description of the victim walked from the direction of the victim’s apartment and walked toward the vehicle.
U. On Monday, December 16, 2024, Investigating Detectives conducted inquiries for all traffic summonses issued to Sourav Kumar. During the inquiry, it was revealed that Kumar was issued a traffic summons (#E24002674) in Hightstown Borough, in Mercer County, New Jersey, while operating a silver 2019 Audi Q8 bearing New Jersey registration. An inquiry through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) revealed the vehicle was registered to Sukhraj Singh (DOB: 1992) residing in Newfield, NJ 08344. The summons was issued by Officer Townsend of the Hightstown Police Department on October 23, 2024, at approximately 2:09 AM.
V. Subsequently, on December 16th, 2024, the Hightstown Police Department provided CAD information and Body Worn Camera footage in relation to a motor vehicle stop conducted upon NJ Registration on October 23rd, 2024, at approximately 0203 hrs. The motor vehicle stop was conducted in the area of South Main St., Hightstown Borough, NJ. Upon reviewing the BWC, the officer approaches the vehicle and makes contact with the driver, Sourav Kumar, who presents a NY Driver’s License DL#. During the motor vehicle stop, Kumar indicated that he was traveling from Vineland, NJ, en route to New Brunswick, NJ. Kumar was issued two (2) motor vehicle summons during the encounter. It should be noted that there were two (2) additional occupants of the vehicle who were unable to be identified in the video. However, it was ascertained that neither of the occupants matched the physical description of the decedent or his clothing he was wearing during the evening of October 22 when he left the apartment in NY.
W. Furthermore, Investigating Detectives requested Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) results from the NYPD for the silver 2019 Audi Q8 bearing New Jersey registration. Detective Patrick Sullivan, of the NYPD – Bronx Homicide Squad, provided all available results from January 2024 through December 2024. Based on the results, the vehicle was located in Patrol Borough Staten Island (PBSI) on October 22, 2024, at approximately 2216 hours. The location of the vehicle was listed at GPS coordinates 40.601907, -74.059682. Detectives used Google Maps which showed these coordinates placed the vehicle on Interstate 278 on the Staten Island side of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Detectives then used Google Maps to plot directions from the vehicle’s location to [address redacted] in Queens, where the decedent was last seen. Google Maps showed the time of travel to be approximately 50 minutes, which may vary based on time of day, volume of traffic, and weather. It should be noted that the decedent was shown on surveillance video leaving in the white SUV at approximately 2115 hours.
X. Investigating Detectives conducted additional searches through various law enforcement databases for the Audi Q8 New Jersey Registration. The search revealed an additional owner of the vehicle, identified as Deepak Tanwar, DOB: 1998, residing at Vineland, New Jersey. Detectives responded to Vineland and located the vehicle parked in the driveway of the residence.
who were unable to be identified in the video. However, it was ascertained that neither of the occupants matched the physical description of the decedent or his clothing he was wearing during the evening of October 22 when he left the apartment in NY.
W. Furthermore, Investigating Detectives requested Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) results from the NYPD for the silver 2019 Audi Q8 bearing New Jersey registration. Detective Patrick Sullivan, of the NYPD – Bronx Homicide Squad, provided all available results from January 2024 through December 2024. Based on the results, the vehicle was located in Patrol Borough Staten Island (PBSI) on October 22, 2024, at approximately 2216 hours. The location of the vehicle was listed at GPS coordinates 40.601907, -74.059682. Detectives used Google Maps which showed these coordinates placed the vehicle on Interstate 278 on the Staten Island side of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Detectives then used Google Maps to plot directions from the vehicle’s location to [address redacted] in Queens, where the decedent was last seen. Google Maps showed the time of travel to be approximately 50 minutes, which may vary based on time of day, volume of traffic, and weather. It should be noted that the decedent was shown on surveillance video leaving in the white SUV at approximately 2115 hours.
X. Investigating Detectives conducted additional searches through various law enforcement databases for the Audi Q8 New Jersey Registration. The search revealed an additional owner of the vehicle, identified as Deepak Tanwar, DOB: 1998, residing at Vineland, New Jersey. Detectives responded to Vineland and located the vehicle parked in the driveway of the residence.
U. On Monday, December 16, 2024, Investigating Detectives conducted inquiries for all traffic summonses issued to Sourav Kumar. During the inquiry, it was revealed that Kumar was issued a traffic summons (#E24002674) in Hightstown Borough, in Mercer County, New Jersey, while operating a silver 2019 Audi Q8 bearing New Jersey registration. An inquiry through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) revealed the vehicle was registered to Sukhraj Singh (DOB: 1992) residing in Newfield, NJ 08344. The summons was issued by Officer Townsend of the Hightstown Police Department on October 23, 2024, at approximately 2:09 AM.
V. Subsequently, on December 16th, 2024, the Hightstown Police Department provided CAD information and Body Worn Camera footage in relation to a motor vehicle stop conducted upon NJ Registration on October 23rd, 2024, at approximately 0203 hrs. The motor vehicle stop was conducted in the area of South Main St., Hightstown Borough, NJ. Upon reviewing the BWC, the officer approaches the vehicle and makes contact with the driver, Sourav Kumar, who presents a NY Driver’s License DL#. During the motor vehicle stop, Kumar indicated that he was traveling from Vineland, NJ, en route to New Brunswick, NJ. Kumar was issued two (2) motor vehicle summons during the encounter. It should be noted that there were two (2) additional occupants of the vehicle who were unable to be identified in the video. However, it was ascertained that neither of the occupants matched the physical description of the decedent or his clothing he was wearing during the evening of October 22 when he left the apartment in NY.
Y. While located at Vineland, Investigating Detectives knocked on the door and attempted to make contact with the registered owner of the vehicle, with negative results. Once the Search Warrant was granted, the Audi Q8 bearing New Jersey Registration was towed to a secured location at the Buena Vista NJSP Headquarters. NJSP Trooper Kyle Leach followed the T Master’s Towing and secured the vehicle, pending execution of the Search Warrant.
Z. During the course of the investigation, Task Force Officer Derek Kardos of the Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, conducted a search of the suspect’s telephone facility number through the ICE law enforcement database. The search revealed the telephone facility number as a point of contact for an ICE detainee, identified as Parmod Kumar. TFO Kardos indicated that he located numerous jail calls between Parmod Kumar and the suspect.
AA. This writer requested the recordings of the jail calls between Parmod Kumar and the suspect. NJSP Trooper Singh reviewed the recordings and translated them. Specifically, Trooper Singh reviewed the jail call recording dated October 22nd, 2024, at 2118 hours. The phone call lasted 5 minutes and 29 seconds. It should be noted October 22nd, 2024, is the date the decedent went missing. During the phone call, Parmod Kumar was heard having a conversation with the suspect. The suspect then passed the phone off to the decedent. Parmod Kumar asked the decedent about his family and how he was doing in the US. After a brief conversation, the phone was again passed off to Sandeep Kumar.
Trooper Singh reviewed a jail call recording dated October 26th, 2024, at 2248 hours, which lasted 17 minutes and 33 seconds. During this conversation, Parmod Kumar asked the suspect if he had any involvement with the decedent going missing, to which the suspect stated, “I have no role but I’m the last person that spoke to the decedent on October 22nd, 2024.” During this phone conversation, the suspect gives the phone to Gaurav. During their conversation, Parmod Kumar talks about his immigration case. Trooper Singh indicated that during the multiple recorded jail call conversations between Parmod Kumar and the suspect, Parmod inquires about the decedent’s missing investigation. The suspect was heard multiple times saying, “I don’t know where he is, I dropped him off at his residence on October 22nd, 2024.”
BB. On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, Anish Deepak Tanwar (one of the registered owners of the Audi Q8) was contacted via telephone due to him being out of state as a truck driver. Trooper Singh made contact with him and Tanwar stated the following:
Tanwar indicated he was in contact with Gaurav Singh on October 21, 2024, at approximately 3 AM via text when he advised that his brother, Sourav Kumar, needed to borrow his white Audi to “take a girl on a date.” Tanwar contacted Sourav Kumar and informed him that another friend, Pankaj Kumar, currently had the vehicle and was using it. Tanwar stated that Pankaj Kumar was a gas station attendant at the Shell Gas Station in Millville, New Jersey. Tanwar confirmed that Gaurav contacted him via telephone facility number.
Tanwar was then contacted by Sourav on October 21, 2024, at approximately 10:52 AM via telephone facility number. They had a 3-minute phone call conversation. Sourav then texted Tanwar asking him for an address (presumably the location where to pick up the vehicle). Ultimately, Tanwar provided Sourav an address for the Shell Gas Station, “812 N. 2nd Street, Millville, NJ 08332”. On October 21, 2024, Tanwar sends a message to Sourav at 1:25 AM, “Bro’s at the store I told him” (inferring to the gas attendant who had the vehicle at that time).
An OMV inquiry for Pankaj Kumar showed him to have an address in Greenwood, Indiana. It should be noted that this is the same town Sourav Kumar and Gaurav Singh reside in and where Sourav Kumar’s cell phone is currently pinging.
CC. On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, Detectives from MCSU conducted interviews at the NJSP Buena Station with the following residents of Vineland, which is where the suspect Audi Q8 was located and seized:
i. Mushkanpal Kaur, DOB: 2003. During her interview, Kaur advised that the primary owner of the Audi Q8 was her husband, Anish Deepak Tanwar. She further advised that Tanwar allows for many friends and family to use the vehicle on a regular basis. Kaur did not recognize any of the suspect’s names, and when shown photographs of the suspects using the vehicle, she denied knowing who they were. She further stated she did not recall anyone in particular borrowing the vehicle at the end of October. Kaur stated her husband is a long-haul trucker and presently out of state. She provided a phone number for him, with which detectives were able to contact him for a statement.
ii. Rohan Pal, DOB: 1993. During his interview, Pal advised the primary owner of the Audi Q8 was his “cousin brother” Anish Deepak Tanwar. He stated that friends and family regularly use the vehicle. Pal did not recognize the suspects’ names, and when shown photographs of the suspects using the vehicle, he denied knowing who they were. Pal stated that he did not recall anyone in particular borrowing the vehicle at the end of October.
He stated that friends and family regularly use the vehicle. Pal did not recognize the suspects’ names, and when shown photographs of the suspects using the vehicle, he denied knowing who they were. Pal stated that he did not recall anyone in particular borrowing the vehicle at the end of October.
iii. Anu Miramwal, DOB: 1994. During her interview, Miramwal denied recognizing any of the suspects in the photos shown to her or having knowledge of who operated the Audi Q8 in October.
DD. On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, members of the NJSP MCSU, CSIU, and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office executed a court-authorized Search Warrant on the Audi Q8, New Jersey Registration. The search involved processing the vehicle for latent prints, DNA swabs, and Blue Star testing for blood evidence. As a result of the search, the following items were located and seized:
Four (4) black car floor mats with unknown stains – from trunk
One (1) plastic water bottle, opened – from rear passenger side door
One (1) tan pair of “LDECK” shoes with unknown stains – from trunk
One (1) black piece of string – from driver’s side front bumper
One (1) swab of suspected biological matter – from rear passenger seat side
One (1) cargo net – from rear of front passenger’s seat
One (1) cargo net – from rear of driver’s seat
Two (2) traffic summonses for Sourav Kumar from 11/15/2023 (operating a different vehicle) – from rear passenger’s side door
During the search, Investigating Detectives noted the four (4) car floor mats in heavily used condition were located in the trunk of the vehicle, and what appeared to be new and clean floor mats were located on the floorboards of the vehicle.
EE. Furthermore, Det. John Turner of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Hi-Tech Unit attempted to execute the court-authorized search warrant on the infotainment system located within the Audi Q8. At this time, this was unsuccessful due to an unforeseen software update requirement. The software update was initiated.
FF. On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, Investigating Detectives made contact with the suspect (Sandeep Kumar). Investigating Detectives interviewed the suspect at the Port Authority Police Department at JFK Airport in New York. The interview was audio and video recorded. Trooper Singh conducted the interview in Punjabi. Trooper Singh read the suspect his Miranda Rights (in Punjabi), and the suspect acknowledged. Trooper Singh advised that the suspect stated the following:
On October 22, 2024, he was contacted on his cell phone by Sourav. Sourav stated he attempted to contact the decedent via telephone, and the decedent hung up on him and blocked his number due to an ongoing fight between the two. Sourav then contacted the suspect and informed him to come home and that Sourav would pick him up. Sourav and two unknown males picked the suspect up at his residence. The suspect described the vehicle as a silver type SUV. Once in the vehicle, Sourav, who was seated in the rear passenger seat, told the suspect to call the decedent and tell him to come outside. The suspect complied with the request and contacted the decedent. As the decedent exited his residence, the suspect stated he and the decedent had a conversation at the window. The suspect indicated that Sourav concealed his identity in the rear seat of the vehicle, due to the fact that if the decedent observed Sourav in the vehicle, he would not have entered due to previous familial issues with Sourav and his sister.
The suspect explained that once the decedent was in the vehicle, Sourav and the decedent began to argue about familial issues and asked why he blocked his phone number and would not talk to him over the phone. They proceeded to a park, and Sourav instructed the suspect to exit the vehicle. At which time, Sourav moved into the driver’s seat of the vehicle, and they departed the area to an unknown destination. He explained that Sourav further communicated with him telephonically that the decedent was gone and not coming back, but did not go into further detail. Sourav then threatened the suspect’s life and his family if he were to cooperate with law enforcement. He explained that earlier this month, Sourav requested to meet the suspect at Rockefeller Center and further threatened the suspect and told him that the decedent was gone and would not be coming back. Investigating Detectives seized the suspect’s cell phone, pending application of a search warrant.
GG. On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, NJSP MCSU Detectives utilized database inquiries to attempt to identify Pankaj Kumar, who was mentioned by Deepak Tanwar as having the silver Audi Q8 before Sourav Kumar. During their inquiries, and with assistance from the Millville Police Department, Pankaj Kumar (DOB: 1990) was positively identified and determined to be an employee at Shell Gas Station in Millville, located at 812 N. 2nd Street, Millville, New Jersey.
HH. On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, NJSP MCSU Detectives responded to Shell Gas Station in Millville, located at 812 N. 2nd Street, Millville, New Jersey. Detectives made contact with the gas station attendant currently working, only identifying himself as Gourav and providing a date of birth as 1996. In speaking with Gourav, he recalled that Pankaj Kumar had access to an Audi and was driving the vehicle at the end of October. Gourav recalled that the vehicle was parked at the gas station and then stated it was not there the next day. He asked Pankaj Kumar where the vehicle went, to which Pankaj Kumar stated that the vehicle owner, Deepak Tanwar, instructed him to let his friend borrow it. Gourav further stated that Pankaj Kumar works the night shift and would be working later.
II. On the same date, NJSP MCSU Detectives made contact with Pankaj Kumar (DOB: 1990) at his residence located in Millville. While there, Pankaj Kumar conducted an interview with detectives. In speaking with Pankaj Kumar, he admitted to having the silver Audi around October 21-22, 2024. Pankaj Kumar stated that he was working at the Shell Gas Station when he got a call from Deepak Tanwar, who told Pankaj Kumar to let Deepak’s friend borrow the car to take a girl on a date. Pankaj Kumar stated that a guy showed up by himself to get the car keys. Pankaj Kumar then confirmed with Deepak to give this individual the keys, so he complied. Pankaj Kumar stated this happened early in the morning, around 6:00 AM. Pankaj Kumar stated that the next morning, around 6:00-8:00 AM, the individual dropped the car back off at the Shell Gas Station. Pankaj stated that he kept the car for another day before returning it. During the interview, detectives showed a photograph of Sourav Kumar taken from the body-worn camera video from the Hightstown Police Department motor vehicle stop. In seeing the photograph, Pankaj Kumar identified the individual depicted as the one who picked up the car. At the conclusion, Pankaj Kumar’s cell phone, described as an Apple iPhone inside a black and white case, was seized as evidence pending application of a search warrant.
JJ. On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at approximately 2042 hours, this writer received a telephone call from the decedent’s brother, Sanjeev Kumar. Due to the language barrier, this writer requested that Trooper Singh of NJSP contact Sanjeev. Trooper Singh made contact with Sanjeev, who indicated that he received a threatening phone call from a friend of Sourav, who did not say his name. Sanjeev said that the unknown caller said that Sanjeev should go to the police and rescind the case, and that he should tell the police that Sanjeev located his brother in Canada. The individual further said that if he did not do so, they would kill him and his family. Sanjeev said that he video recorded the phone call using another phone.
KK. On Thursday, December 19, 2024, Detective ya received Communication Data records for Sourav’s telephone facility number from T-Mobile (as a result of the execution of court-authorized CDW Order# GR-OCN-8042-CDW-24). The records were reviewed and interpreted by Agent Turner of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Hi-Tech Unit. Specifically, Agent Turner reviewed the Data Sessions records and confirmed that on October 23, 2024, at approximately 12:47:17 AM, Sourav’s telephone facility number was communicating with a tower in the area where the decedent was located, Pasadena Road in Manchester Township, NJ (39.899583N, -74.4231944W).
LL. On Thursday, December 19, 2024, the facts of the investigation were reviewed with the Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill. As a result of the investigation, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill authorized the following criminal complaints for Sourav Kumar: Murder – 2C:11-3a(1), (2) and Conspiracy to Commit Murder – 2C:5-2 and 2C:11-3a(1), (2); and for Gaurav Singh: 2C:11-3a(1), (2) and Conspiracy to Commit Murder – 2C:5-2 and 2C:11-3a(1).
Dated: December 19, 2024s/ Alex BromleyDetective Alex Bromley, Badge #164Ocean County Prosecutor’s OfficeMajor Crime Unit, Homicide Squad