A kidnapping and torture in Manteca triggered a multi-agency investigation that led to the arrest of one of India’s most-wanted fugitives and seven others.

The investigation and the arrests were shared

by law enforcement officials at a press conference. Friday describing the investigation – a week after announcing the arrests.

According to San Joaquin County Sheriff Pat Withrow, the investigation began June 21 after community tips about a “horrendous crime” that happened on June 19 in Manteca.

Deputies contacted the victim.

The victim shared how a group of men kidnapped him, stripped him naked, and bound and tortured him for hours.

Eight people — all of who were believed to be involved — were arrested in a multi-agency operation carried out across various locations in San Joaquin County.

Those arrested were Pavittar Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Arshpreet Singh, Amritpal Singh, Gurtaj Singh, Sarabjit Singh, Manpreet Randhawa and a man identified only as Vishal, who did not provide a last name.

Each suspect was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on multiple charges, including kidnapping, torture, false imprisonment, assault with a semiautomatic firearm and making criminal threats.

The sheriff said five handguns were recovered — including a Glock pistol modified to be fully automatic — an assault rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammo, high-capacity magazines and $15,000 in cash.

Withrow noted the primary suspect in the investigation, Pavittar Singh, is allegedly the leader of the Pavittar Maja Group – an international criminal organization

FBI agent Sid Patel said Singh was wanted in India on an array of charges including multiple murders, assault and firearms violations.

Patel also drew connections from Singh to several other people arrested earlier this year in Northern California

Patel idnciated Gurdev Singh aka Jasal was arrested in Stockton in March and is one of Pavittar Singh’s friends.

Gurdev was wanted in India for charges including murder and rocket propelled grenade attacks on police stations.

And in April, Harpreet Singh aka Happy Passia, was arrested in Sacramento.

According to Punjab Police, Happy Passia is a US-based operative of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and associate of Rinda.

BKI is a militant organization seeking to create an independent nation-state of Khalistan in the Punjab region.

It’s been designated as a terrorist group by the United States.

Patel explained the consequences for suspects with international charges.

"You're prosecuted here, you serve your time here, and then you're extradited to the foreign country and you do your time there," Patel said.

Federal immigration authorities have been notified, and the suspects could face deportation. The sheriff's office continues to search for several other individuals believed to be connected to the dangerous gang activities.