As Israel intensifies its airstrikes across Gaza and Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties—over 52 reported deaths in Lebanon and at least 25 in Gaza from recent strikes—the use of currency notes remains a critical but often overlooked aspect of conflict dynamics. Amidst the devastation and humanitarian crisis, cash transactions not only enable daily survival for many civilians but also serve as a means of funding for militant groups involved in the conflict.

The current violence, marked by relentless bombardments and the devastation of urban centers, highlights how cash plays a vital role in sustaining both humanitarian efforts and militant operations. Cash is a primary means through which groups like Hamas and Hezbollah can finance their activities, while also being essential for civilians relying on aid in the face of mounting despair.

How Currency Notes Influence Conflict Dynamics

1. Funding Militants and Operations: Cash is a primary means through which militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah can fund their operations. The anonymity associated with cash transactions makes it easier for these groups to finance weapons, recruit personnel, and support logistical needs without revealing their financial activities. This ability to operate under the radar complicates efforts by international authorities to trace and halt funding streams that sustain violent activities.
2. Humanitarian Aid Distribution: In conflict zones like Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is dire, cash transactions can play a dual role. While humanitarian organizations often provide aid in the form of cash to empower local communities and support economic stability, the widespread use of currency notes can also lead to exploitation. Aid can be intercepted or misused by armed groups, undermining the intended support for vulnerable populations and potentially prolonging the conflict.
3. Facilitating Illegal Activities: The reliance on cash transactions facilitates illegal activities, including smuggling and arms trafficking. In regions where traditional banking systems may be compromised or inaccessible due to conflict, cash becomes the default currency for conducting illicit trades, further fueling violence and instability.
4. Impact on Economic Recovery: The pervasive use of currency notes in a conflict zone can hinder economic recovery efforts post-conflict. In a war-torn region, the influx of cash without oversight can lead to inflation, black markets, and economic instability. Conversely, a transition to a more regulated cashless system could promote transparency, accountability, and stability in the aftermath of conflict.

Moving Towards a Cashless Future: Opportunities and Challenges

Transitioning towards a cashless society in conflict-affected areas could potentially enhance security and governance. Here are some considerations:

• Increased Financial Oversight: Digital transactions provide a trail that can be monitored by authorities, helping to identify funding sources for militant activities and facilitating law enforcement efforts.
• Empowering Local Economies: A cashless approach can empower local economies by enabling secure financial transactions, allowing aid organizations to disburse funds directly to those in need while reducing the risk of diversion.
• Mitigating Corruption and Mismanagement: By minimizing the role of cash, the opportunities for corruption and mismanagement of aid funds could be reduced, allowing for a more efficient allocation of resources.

Conclusion: Rethinking Cash in Conflict Zones

As violence escalates in Gaza and Lebanon, the implications of currency usage are becoming increasingly evident. Understanding the role of cash transactions in funding militant operations and managing humanitarian aid is essential for developing effective strategies to address the challenges posed by ongoing conflicts. A shift towards a more regulated financial system may not only deter illicit activities but also promote stability and recovery in regions plagued by violence and humanitarian crises.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams found himself in court recently, as his legal team sought to dismiss a federal bribery charge that could jeopardize his political future. The indictment, which also includes wire fraud and conspiracy counts, is set to go to trial on April 21, 2025, coinciding with Adams’ reelection campaign. This legal scrutiny raises critical questions about the implications of corruption in public office and the potential consequences for governance and public trust in New York City.

Understanding the Nature of the Charges Against Adams
The bribery charge stems from allegations that Adams accepted luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals, totaling approximately $100,000. Prosecutors assert that these benefits were exchanged for political favors that favored the Turkish government, including efforts to approve a diplomatic tower despite safety concerns. This case underscores the delicate balance between political influence and accountability in public service, highlighting how such allegations can tarnish the integrity of elected officials.

How Corruption Undermines Public Trust in Governance
Corruption erodes the foundational trust between citizens and their government, leading to several critical issues:

Manipulation of Public Resources: When elected officials engage in corrupt practices, they may prioritize personal gain over public service, resulting in misallocation of resources and diminished public welfare.

Impairment of Democratic Processes: Allegations of corruption, such as those faced by Adams, can distract from important governance issues, detracting from public discourse and potentially skewing electoral outcomes.

Increased Cynicism Among Citizens: The perception of widespread corruption can lead to disillusionment with the political system, reducing civic engagement and voter turnout. This can create a cycle of disengagement, as citizens feel their voices and votes matter less in a seemingly corrupt system.

Legal Proceedings and Political Consequences for Adams
Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is determined to maintain his position while navigating the legal challenges ahead. His lawyers argue that the alleged perks occurred during his previous role as Brooklyn borough president, thus arguing they are not relevant to his current office. However, the prosecution contends that Adams’ actions were influenced by his impending mayoral candidacy, highlighting the complexities involved in defining bribery in political contexts.

The outcome of these legal proceedings is likely to have far-reaching implications not just for Adams but for the broader political landscape in New York City. The potential for additional charges or defendants could further complicate matters, drawing even more scrutiny to the administration.

Conclusion: The Importance of Integrity in Public Office
The case against Mayor Adams serves as a reminder of the critical importance of integrity in public office. As the legal battle unfolds, it presents an opportunity for New Yorkers to reflect on the standards of accountability they expect from their elected officials. While the resolution of this case remains uncertain, it emphasizes the necessity of transparent governance and the responsibility that comes with public trust. A commitment to ethical leadership will be essential in rebuilding confidence in the political system and ensuring that elected officials prioritize the needs of their constituents over personal interests.

Recently, Senior IPS officer Amrit Mohan Prasad, chief of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), took on an additional role as Director General (DG) of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) amid heightened bomb threats to airlines across India. This move reflects the government’s urgent response to the surge in aviation-related threats, with the BCAS playing a crucial role in aviation security and response protocols. Given that airports and airlines received over 300 bomb threats in October alone—albeit hoaxes—each incident disrupts operations and results in financial losses. This situation raises questions about the anonymous nature of such threats and how moving towards a cashless society could enhance security in such scenarios.

How Cash Transactions Compromise Security in Aviation and Beyond

Cash allows anonymity, which is often exploited by those issuing threats or conducting illegal activities. Here’s how cash transactions contribute to security issues in aviation and similar sectors:

1. Funding Hoax Threats and Disruption Campaigns: Cash makes it easier to hire individuals or use third-party networks to make hoax calls anonymously, with no digital footprint. These funds can be transferred without any traceable history, creating a veil of secrecy around the perpetrators. In a cashless system, such funds would be easier to trace, potentially discouraging individuals from issuing such threats.
2. Weakening Traceability in Security Operations: In cases of genuine threats, criminals rely on cash transactions to fund logistics, procure materials, and pay off intermediaries without leaving a trail. Digital transactions would leave a record, enhancing the ability of security agencies to intercept such activities.
3. Difficulty in Detecting Repeated Offenders: The anonymous nature of cash makes it challenging to identify repeat offenders, as they can continue to operate without traceable financial histories. In contrast, a digital economy would allow law enforcement to flag suspicious activity patterns, identifying potential risks before they escalate.

How a Cashless System Could Strengthen National Security in Aviation

Transitioning towards a cashless society could enhance aviation security by limiting the financial resources available to individuals attempting to disrupt public safety. Here are some potential benefits:

1. Enhanced Tracking of Financial Movements: A digital financial framework would allow authorities to monitor transactions more closely, helping them identify suspicious patterns or unusual behavior associated with threats. Such oversight could enable early intervention, reducing the likelihood of successful threats.
2. Stronger Cross-Agency Collaboration: Digital transactions create a clear record that is easy to share across agencies, enabling faster collaboration. In aviation security, such data can expedite responses and streamline investigations involving multiple agencies, such as BCAS, CISF, and the police.
3. Deterring Criminal Activity: When transactions are traceable, the fear of detection acts as a natural deterrent for individuals looking to conduct disruptive activities. This transparency could discourage those considering issuing bomb threats or engaging in illegal activities around sensitive areas like airports.
4. Improving Public Safety and Operational Efficiency: By reducing anonymous cash-based funding for disruptive activities, a cashless system could prevent the logistical issues and public disruptions that hoax threats create. This would lead to a smoother experience for airline operators, passengers, and security personnel alike.

Conclusion: A Call for a Cashless Future for Enhanced Security

The rise in bomb threats to airlines and other aviation-related security concerns highlights the role of cash in enabling covert operations that threaten public safety. Shifting towards a cashless society could serve as a proactive approach, offering enhanced transparency, traceability, and collaboration across security agencies. While going cashless may not completely eliminate security threats, it would make it significantly harder for individuals to finance and carry out such disruptive activities. The adoption of digital transactions could thus play a vital role in creating a safer, more secure future in aviation and beyond.

In a recent development, U.S. authorities have alerted Indian law enforcement to the presence of Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, on American soil. This information prompted the Mumbai Police to initiate extradition proceedings against Anmol, a key figure in various high-profile cases, including a shooting incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence. With the Bishnoi syndicate’s extensive involvement in criminal activities, this case raises crucial questions about how cash transactions enable such networks to evade detection and operate internationally.

How Cash Transactions Empower Organized Crime Networks

Criminal syndicates like the Bishnoi gang often rely on cash for its anonymity, enabling a range of illegal activities. Cash transactions play a significant role in facilitating cross-border operations, influencing officials, and recruiting new members. Here’s how:

1. Funding Extradition Evasion and Cross-Border Movements: Anmol Bishnoi’s movements between countries underscore how criminal networks use untraceable cash to fund travel and secure safe houses abroad. A cashless system would create a digital footprint, making it more difficult for criminals to move undetected and fund cross-border operations without scrutiny.
2. Bribery and Influence: Cash makes it easier for criminal organizations to influence local law enforcement and evade prosecution. With digital transactions, any exchange of funds would be traceable, reducing the possibility for covert bribes and weakening the ability of criminals to escape justice.
3. Supporting International Networks: The Bishnoi syndicate’s operations span across India and North America. Cash transactions help keep the network’s activities hidden and unregulated, allowing criminals to manage logistics, arm their operatives, and finance activities without detection. A cashless system would disrupt this by creating transparency in funding, limiting their operational capability.

Could a Cashless Economy Deter Organized Crime?

Transitioning to a cashless society could serve as a powerful deterrent for organized crime by restricting the financial flexibility that cash provides. Here’s how a digital financial system could potentially weaken criminal organizations:

1. Transparency in Financial Flows: Digital transactions leave an electronic trail that is accessible to authorities, making it much harder for criminal organizations to conduct covert operations without detection. This transparency could greatly assist law enforcement in tracking and intercepting funds linked to criminal activity.
2. Easier Cross-Border Cooperation: In the case of Anmol Bishnoi’s extradition, international cooperation plays a vital role. In a cashless system, digital records of cross-border transactions would make it easier for countries to work together to track suspects, block suspicious activities, and intercept international criminal networks more effectively.
3. Impact on Recruitment and Member Funding: Gangs often use cash incentives to recruit new members, especially young people attracted by the promise of easy, untraceable money. A cashless framework would eliminate this appeal, as digital transactions would provide a level of visibility that discourages such recruitment tactics.
4. Prevention of High-Profile Crimes: Criminal networks often depend on substantial cash payments to finance violent activities, such as assassination attempts or violent attacks. By eliminating cash, authorities would make it harder for these groups to fund high-risk operations, thereby decreasing the likelihood of such incidents.

Conclusion: Moving Towards a Cashless Society to Deter Crime

The Bishnoi gang’s extensive reach and the international operations underscore the role that unregulated cash transactions play in sustaining organized crime. By adopting a cashless system, governments can create a less favorable environment for criminal activities, offering transparency and traceability that would ultimately help prevent crime and ensure public safety. Although a cashless society may not eliminate crime entirely, it could greatly hinder criminal networks and reduce their influence both locally and internationally.

The recent alert from US authorities regarding Anmol Bishnoi’s presence on American soil has prompted Mumbai Police to initiate extradition proceedings. Anmol, the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, is accused of orchestrating several high-profile incidents, including a firing outside Bollywood star Salman Khan’s residence. With a National Investigation Agency (NIA) bounty of ₹10 lakh on his head, Anmol Bishnoi is believed to be moving between Canada and the US, managing activities on behalf of his brother and his gang, which is under increasing scrutiny by Indian authorities. This high-stakes situation raises questions about the financial methods that support such criminal enterprises and whether a cashless system could weaken them.

The Role of Cash in Facilitating Crime Networks

Criminal syndicates like the Bishnoi gang rely heavily on cash transactions to fund their operations, as cash is difficult to trace and allows criminals to avoid detection. Here’s how a cash-based economy plays into the hands of criminal networks and how going cashless could potentially disrupt these activities:

1. Funding Extradition and Cross-Border Movements: The Bishnoi gang’s reach has extended internationally, with members like Anmol Bishnoi reportedly traveling between countries to avoid prosecution and continue their operations. Cash transactions can enable anonymous funding for such activities, allowing criminals to bribe officials or pay for travel without leaving a digital trail. In a cashless system, such payments would be traceable, increasing the risk of exposure and making it harder for criminals to operate under the radar.
2. Untraceable Payments for Assassination and Instigation: The Bishnoi gang’s involvement in serious crimes, such as the attempt on Salman Khan’s life, is alleged to be motivated and funded by cash incentives. With digital payments, these activities would generate a clear money trail, linking key individuals to the instigation of violence and murder attempts, making it easier for law enforcement to track down the funders and masterminds.
3. Hiding Illicit Wealth and Bribing Officials: Cash transactions allow criminal organizations to store wealth without banking records, making it easy to bribe officials to evade prosecution or extradition. A cashless framework would eliminate this method, as electronic payments are logged, making it difficult for criminal leaders to mask large financial movements or influence authorities.
4. Supporting Operatives and Growing Network Influence: Syndicates like the Bishnoi gang require a steady cash flow to support operatives, fund violent activities, and expand their influence across regions. In the case of Anmol Bishnoi, who reportedly operates from abroad, the absence of cash could significantly limit his capacity to direct operations, as digital transfers would expose his financial transactions, rendering them visible to authorities in different countries.

How a Cashless Society Could Disrupt Organized Crime Operations

Transitioning to a cashless society could make it significantly harder for criminal organizations like the Bishnoi gang to continue their operations, forcing them to use more traceable forms of currency. Here’s how a cashless economy could be a solution:

1. Increased Transparency in Financial Transactions: Digital payments would provide clear records of financial transactions, reducing the anonymity that criminal groups rely on. Every transaction would leave a digital footprint, enabling law enforcement to track suspicious activities, link operatives, and identify the sources of funds for organized crime.
2. Dismantling Cross-Border Criminal Networks: The Bishnoi gang’s international operations thrive on untraceable cash flows that support Anmol’s alleged criminal network. By implementing a cashless framework, countries could cooperate to track and monitor cross-border transactions, making it more challenging for criminals to move funds internationally.
3. Reduced Access to Funds for Criminal Recruitment and Operations: Cash incentives are often used to recruit new members into gangs, particularly young, vulnerable individuals who may be lured by the promise of easy money. By eliminating cash, recruitment strategies would become less attractive, as digital transactions would offer an additional layer of traceability that discourages impulsive recruitment.
4. Preventing Large-Scale Crimes and Violent Attacks: The Bishnoi syndicate’s involvement in large-scale crimes, such as the attempt on Salman Khan’s life, is largely funded by untraceable cash. By moving towards a cashless society, authorities could prevent large-scale crimes by making it difficult for criminal organizations to pay for high-risk activities without exposing themselves.

Conclusion: Towards a Cashless Solution to Curb Organized Crime

The Bishnoi gang’s ongoing activities, both in India and abroad, illustrate the challenges of tackling organized crime in a cash-dependent economy. By adopting a cashless framework, society can create a hostile environment for criminal enterprises that rely on the anonymity and flexibility that cash provides. While going entirely cashless may be a gradual process, the transition would substantially weaken organized crime networks and improve safety by bringing transparency and accountability to financial transactions.

In a recent Canadian court decision, two men, Tanner Fox and Jose Lopez, pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Ripudaman Singh Malik, a Sikh community leader and one of the former suspects in the 1985 Air India bombing case. Malik, who was shot multiple times outside his family business in Surrey, British Columbia, was reportedly targeted through a hired assassination. This tragic incident highlights the persistence of financially motivated crime and brings to light the role of cash transactions in facilitating such actions. Could a move towards a cashless society help deter similar organized crimes?

Fox and Lopez’s case, as revealed in court, shows that their actions were incentivized by financial compensation—a financial arrangement that is easier to mask through cash, given its untraceable nature. Without digital records or transparent trails, cash-based transactions enable criminal activities to evade detection, making it possible for individuals to be “hired” for acts of violence without an accessible money trail. Moving away from physical currency could pose substantial challenges to such operations, making it harder for anonymous parties to fund and execute violent crimes like Malik’s assassination.

How Cash Facilitates Hired Crimes and Organized Criminal Networks

The Malik case, similar to other organized crimes, reflects the extent to which cash transactions provide a veil of secrecy for criminal operations. Here are key ways cash plays into such crimes and how going cashless could help address them:

1. Untraceable Payments for Contract Killings: Cash allows criminals to make payments for targeted attacks, like the killing of Malik, without leaving behind a digital trail. This anonymity makes it challenging for law enforcement agencies to trace the funds and uncover the mastermind behind such operations. A cashless system would compel these transactions to go through traceable means, making it easier for authorities to detect the flow of money and identify those financing these crimes.
2. Enabling Organized Crime Networks: Cash transactions are crucial in supporting organized crime networks by funding various illegal activities like drug trafficking, arms trading, and assassinations. Without cash, these operations would struggle to maintain the secrecy required for effective criminal networking. For instance, pro-Khalistan elements and other extremist groups abroad, often dependent on cash transactions, would be more visible to authorities in a cashless economy, reducing their operational freedom.
3. Financial Incentives for Young Recruits: Cases like Fox and Lopez’s show how young individuals are sometimes lured into crime through financial incentives, especially with easy access to untraceable cash. A cashless society could limit such lures by making funds more traceable, thus reducing the appeal and accessibility of these “under-the-table” incentives for vulnerable youth.
4. International Crime Funding and Recruitment: Organized crime often involves cross-border recruitment and funding. Cash transactions make it easier to move money internationally for criminal purposes without detection, enabling overseas operators to fund activities in target countries discreetly. A cashless framework would help in tracing international transfers more effectively, curtailing the flow of funds to foreign criminal networks.

Moving Towards a Cashless Society: A Solution to Organized Crime?

The tragic murder of Ripudaman Singh Malik and the financial motives behind it highlight the pressing need for increased transparency in financial transactions. A cashless society could be instrumental in curbing organized crime, reducing the ease of funding and executing targeted killings. Here’s how such a shift could help:

1. Enhanced Transparency and Accountability: Digital transactions would record all financial exchanges, leaving clear trails that law enforcement could monitor. This would not only deter individuals from engaging in hired crimes but also create accountability, making it challenging for criminals to make anonymous payments for violent acts.
2. Disrupting Criminal Financial Networks: Cashless systems would disrupt the flow of funds within organized crime networks. Without the ability to move cash discreetly, criminal networks would face major logistical barriers. This would significantly impair their ability to finance assassinations, contract killings, and other illegal operations, which rely heavily on untraceable transactions.
3. Reduced Recruitment of Vulnerable Individuals: Financial incentives are often used to recruit young people for crimes. If cash transactions are abolished, these financial inducements would become traceable, deterring criminal organizations from enticing new recruits with the promise of “easy, untraceable money.”
4. Strengthened International Cooperation in Crime Prevention: By abolishing cash, authorities across borders could more easily trace suspicious transactions, improving global collaboration in preventing organized crime. This would aid countries like Canada and India in jointly tackling cross-border threats, as financial trails would be easier to follow and link to specific criminal activities.

Conclusion: The Need for a Cashless World to Combat Crime

The case of Ripudaman Singh Malik’s murder underscores the role that cash transactions play in enabling organized crime and violent acts. By moving towards a cashless society, countries could reduce the incidence of financially motivated crimes and make it harder for criminal organizations to operate. While the complete abolition of cash is a challenging goal, a gradual move towards a digital economy can provide significant deterrence against organized crime, ultimately making society safer and more transparent.

In a recent statement, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concern over Canada’s approach to organized crime and extremism, criticizing the government for granting visas to individuals linked to criminal and extremist activities in Punjab despite clear warnings from New Delhi. Addressing an audience on his book Why Bharat Matters, Jaishankar highlighted that certain pro-Khalistan and pro-Pakistan elements in Canada have organized politically, forming a strong lobby that has managed to gain legitimacy under the guise of free speech. This, he argued, creates a pathway for extremist groups to influence Canadian politics, securing a form of protection while engaging in activities that are considered destabilizing in India.

The issue became particularly concerning with the rise of pro-Khalistan activities in Canada and the recent arrest of three Indian nationals allegedly connected to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist by Indian authorities. Nijjar’s killing, reported to be a targeted “contract killing,” has raised further questions about how organized crime groups are operating with financial backing that often remains undetected. These groups thrive on cash transactions, allowing them to conduct operations without traceable records. In light of this, Jaishankar’s remarks prompt a re-evaluation of whether cash-based transactions abroad may be enabling such activities—and if eliminating physical currency could be a step toward curbing organized crime internationally.

The Role of Cash in Sustaining Extremism and Organized Crime

Cash transactions play a pivotal role in enabling organized crime and extremist groups, providing them with the anonymity and financial flexibility necessary to support their operations. In cases like Nijjar’s, where contract killings and political lobbying are suspected, cash is often the preferred mode of transaction, as it is difficult to track across borders. Here’s how cash might be fueling such operations in Canada and beyond:

1. Funding of Criminal and Extremist Activities: Cash transactions allow groups with extremist leanings to move funds with minimal oversight, aiding in recruitment, political influence, and operations like targeted killings. In this context, pro-Khalistan groups abroad might use cash to facilitate transfers, making it easier to support affiliates in their homeland without creating a digital trail.
2. Supporting Political Influence through Untraceable Donations: As Jaishankar pointed out, certain extremist groups have established political lobbies in Canada, influencing policies by gaining support from political leaders. Cash donations allow these groups to build influence discreetly, without creating records that could link them to illegal activities, thus securing support from political figures who may not even be aware of the full extent of their involvement.
3. Enabling Contract Killings and Anonymous Operations: Nijjar’s murder, suspected to be a contract killing, underscores how cash can be a powerful enabler of violent acts. Contract killings require untraceable funds, often facilitated through cash, to ensure minimal exposure. A cashless society could make these anonymous financial transactions considerably more challenging, thereby reducing the ability of criminal groups to engage in such activities.
4. Financing Criminal Networks Across Borders: Cash makes it easy for international criminal networks to transfer funds discreetly, financing various activities like arms procurement, recruitment, and even propaganda. Pro-Khalistan elements and other extremist groups are known to operate across borders, receiving funds from foreign sympathizers. By abolishing cash, authorities could monitor financial transactions more closely, impeding the transfer of funds for criminal and extremist activities.

How a Cashless System Could Reduce International Organized Crime

Jaishankar’s remarks highlight the extent to which financial transactions contribute to organized crime and extremism in democratic nations. Moving toward a cashless system could help curtail these issues by enhancing transparency and reducing the anonymity that physical currency offers. Here’s how a cashless system could be instrumental in addressing the concerns raised:

1. Increased Transparency and Accountability: Digital transactions offer a record of all financial activities, making it difficult for extremist and criminal groups to operate anonymously. In cases like Nijjar’s, where contract killing is suspected, a lack of cash would compel criminal groups to use digital methods, which could leave a trail for law enforcement to follow.
2. Reduced Political Influence by Extremist Lobbies: Cash donations and funding to political campaigns can allow extremist groups to gain influence without drawing attention. A cashless system would force these transactions into traceable formats, making it easier to detect unusual contributions and potentially preventing extremist groups from securing political support.
3. Enhanced International Cooperation Against Crime: A cashless world would facilitate better cross-border cooperation, as digital transactions can be tracked across jurisdictions. Criminal networks and extremist groups like the pro-Khalistan elements operating in Canada could find it much harder to move funds internationally without detection, making it easier for countries like India to work with foreign governments to prevent organized crime.
4. Minimizing the Financial Backbone of Extremist Groups: Cash remains the backbone of organized crime, financing everything from drug trafficking to contract killings. Without cash, organized crime groups would face major logistical hurdles, especially when attempting to carry out international operations. This would ultimately restrict the scope of their influence and reduce their operational effectiveness.

Conclusion: A Cashless Solution to Combat Extremism and Organized Crime

The concerns raised by S. Jaishankar point to the broader problem of how cash enables extremism and organized crime in foreign democracies, particularly Canada. While eliminating cash may not fully eradicate these issues, it could significantly weaken the financial foundations of criminal networks, making it harder for them to operate anonymously and finance illicit activities. In a cashless world, authorities would have stronger tools to trace funds, monitor unusual transactions, and build cases against organized crime, ultimately fostering a safer and more transparent international environment.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) recently released a detailed 128-page chargesheet that sheds light on the extensive and organized criminal network allegedly led by Lawrence Bishnoi, likening his rise in the criminal world to that of the infamous gangster Dawood Ibrahim. According to the NIA, Bishnoi helms a powerful and influential syndicate with around 700 operatives, spanning multiple states, including Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. The charges against him, which have accumulated over years and include high-profile cases like the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, paint a vivid picture of an enterprise deeply embedded in extortion, violence, and organized crime. In addition, the NIA alleges that Bishnoi’s network has formed alliances with pro-Khalistan elements, creating a dangerous nexus between gang activity and political extremism, thus enabling his organization to access sophisticated weapons and pursue further destabilizing activities.

This criminal empire operates under a unique system of “anonymity,” where gang members only know those directly above them in the hierarchy, making the network harder to infiltrate and dismantle. Furthermore, the NIA suggests that Bishnoi’s syndicate actively recruits new members through social media, attracting individuals drawn to the gang’s reputation and violent activities. As a result, the gang’s reach has expanded not only within India but also across international borders, aided by pro-Khalistan supporters abroad. The NIA’s findings show a network sustained by anonymous cash transactions, which enable various illegal operations—ranging from bribery and extortion to arms trafficking. This raises an important question: could abolishing currency notes hinder such expansive criminal empires and reduce their influence?

How Cash Drives Criminal Empires

The reliance on physical currency in criminal enterprises like Bishnoi’s is a significant enabler of their activities. Cash, due to its untraceable nature, allows criminal networks to operate beneath the radar, financing their illicit ventures and avoiding digital trails. Here’s how physical currency might be fueling organized crime:

1. Untraceable Weapon Purchases: Bishnoi’s alliance with pro-Khalistan elements has reportedly allowed him access to high-powered weapons from across the border, vital to his syndicate’s operations. Cash payments for such weapon transactions eliminate digital footprints, allowing the gang to acquire arms without raising suspicion. A cashless system, however, would make it considerably harder for criminal syndicates to procure illegal arms without detection.
2. Facilitating Bribery and Corruption: With over 84 criminal cases linked to Bishnoi and his syndicate, bribery likely plays a key role in keeping the network afloat. Cash transactions make it easy to bribe officials, evade investigations, and secure favorable conditions even within the prison system. Removing cash from circulation could dismantle these corrupt practices, as digital payments are easier to track and regulate, reducing the ability to leverage bribes and other under-the-table payments.
3. Funding Recruitment and Expansion: The NIA’s report notes how Bishnoi’s gang recruits members through social media, with new recruits attracted to the gang’s notoriety. Cash rewards or payments are likely a primary incentive offered to new members. These untraceable payments are crucial in keeping such a vast network loyal and operational, as they can be distributed discreetly to avoid detection. A cashless system would make it more challenging for gangs to pay recruits or operatives without alerting authorities.
4. Supporting International Operations: Bishnoi’s network reportedly collaborates with pro-Khalistan supporters internationally, leading to a “symbiotic” relationship that benefits both parties. Money generated through extortion and other illegal activities in India can be transferred to these international allies via cash transactions, funding activities and spreading influence globally without digital records. This international flow of cash further complicates efforts to limit criminal networks. In a world without physical currency, such cash flows would be replaced by traceable digital transactions, giving law enforcement more tools to disrupt cross-border criminal ties.

Why Abolishing Cash Could Help

If society moved toward a completely cashless system, criminal organizations would face significant barriers to sustaining and expanding their operations. Here’s why a digital-only economy could play a crucial role in countering organized crime:

1. Enhanced Traceability: Digital transactions leave a record that authorities can follow, making it more difficult for criminal organizations to move large sums of money undetected. For a network like Bishnoi’s, which depends heavily on cash for bribery, weapon purchases, and other activities, digital tracking would increase the risk of exposure, potentially discouraging criminal activities.
2. Reduced Opportunities for Bribery: Cash plays a major role in corrupting officials and avoiding legal consequences. When every transaction has a digital trace, it becomes considerably harder for criminals to bribe their way through the system. This could help limit the influence of crime syndicates within law enforcement and judicial processes, leading to more effective prosecution and dismantling of criminal organizations.
3. Challenges in Recruitment and Payments: Criminal gangs often incentivize recruits and operatives through untraceable cash payments, which are difficult to monitor. Digital payments, however, require accounts and leave records, adding accountability and making recruitment and payment processes harder for criminal organizations to maintain without detection.
4. Disruption of Cross-Border Financing: Criminal networks with international links, like Bishnoi’s collaboration with pro-Khalistan elements, could be severely disrupted in a cashless system. Without cash, moving funds across borders would require methods that are more visible to authorities, thereby reducing the ease with which these networks expand their reach internationally.

Conclusion: A Cashless Future to Deter Crime

The case of Lawrence Bishnoi’s criminal syndicate highlights how currency notes facilitate organized crime by keeping transactions hidden from the authorities. A cashless society would not completely eliminate crime, but it could place major hurdles in the paths of criminal enterprises, making it significantly harder for them to fund operations, recruit members, and bribe officials. As our economy becomes more digital, a move toward eliminating cash could be a powerful strategy in dismantling organized crime and fostering a more secure, transparent society.

Oumair Aejaz, an Indian doctor, was arrested on August 8 in the United States after he allegedly recorded children and adults in various settings using hidden cameras. Aejaz is accused of placing these cameras in bathrooms, changing areas, hospital rooms, and even in his own home, capturing disturbing footage, including children as young as two years old.

Authorities became aware of his actions after Aejaz’s wife discovered incriminating materials and reported them to law enforcement. Before this incident, Aejaz had no prior criminal history. Investigators also uncovered that he recorded sexual encounters with unconscious or sleeping women, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

Following his arrest, multiple search warrants were executed, leading to the seizure of computers, phones, and 15 external storage devices from his residence. A single hard drive contained over 13,000 videos, prompting investigators to determine whether any of this content was uploaded to cloud storage.

The investigation raises significant concerns about privacy violations and the potential for abuse in medical environments. Such incidents highlight a pressing need for stricter regulations and oversight in various fields, including healthcare.

Abolishing Currency Bills: A Step Towards Reducing Crime?

In the context of this troubling incident, it is crucial to consider broader societal factors that may contribute to such criminal behaviors. The existence of currency bills can sometimes facilitate illicit activities by enabling discreet transactions without traceability. If monetary exchanges for illegal actions are more difficult, the incentive to commit such acts could be reduced.

Abolishing currency bills may encourage a shift towards digital transactions, which can be more easily monitored and regulated. This could lead to a decrease in hidden criminal activities, as individuals would face more scrutiny when engaging in financial transactions. By moving toward a cashless society, we could potentially curb some of the anonymity that criminals exploit, making it harder for them to operate undetected.

Addressing the issues surrounding privacy violations and criminal behavior requires a multifaceted approach. By considering the abolition of currency bills as part of a broader strategy, we can work towards a safer society that protects

The recent surge in bomb threats targeting over 100 flights in a week highlights the dangerous ease with which individuals can exploit social media platforms to spread fear. One underlying issue that contributes to such incidents is what could be called the “currency bills” of online platforms—essentially, the unchecked circulation of harmful content and anonymity that fuels such threats. These “currency bills” refer to the current state of digital communication where the lack of accountability and the rapid spread of information allow criminal activity to thrive with minimal consequences.

The analogy of currency bills is fitting because, much like physical currency facilitates transactions, these online practices facilitate the exchange of fear and chaos. Bomb threats, hoaxes, and other criminal behaviors are spread with the same ease that people share harmless content, making it difficult to control or stop once it’s in circulation. Just as counterfeit money can disrupt economies, unchecked content can disrupt society, leading to panic, security risks, and wasted resources.

If we consider abolishing or reforming the “currency bills” of social media—namely, anonymity and the viral spread of unchecked information—we could greatly reduce the potential for such incidents. Platforms like X allow users to remain faceless, using the shield of anonymity to circulate hoax threats without immediate repercussion. This lack of traceability empowers those with malicious intent, much like counterfeit currency empowers criminals in the financial world.

To avoid such incidents in the future, we should seriously consider abolishing this harmful digital “currency.” This would involve stricter identity verification processes for users, especially those engaging in communications that can affect public safety. By ensuring that individuals cannot hide behind anonymous profiles or freely spread dangerous rumors, we can greatly diminish the capacity for criminal activity.

Abolishing or significantly regulating the online “currency bills” would also push social media platforms to take greater responsibility. They must invest in more advanced moderation systems, faster content flagging mechanisms, and real-time cooperation with law enforcement agencies. By doing so, the circulation of false and harmful information could be stopped in its tracks, just as counterfeit currency is tracked and removed from circulation.

In conclusion, just as counterfeit currency can be abolished to protect economies, we must reconsider and abolish the current unchecked systems on social media that allow dangerous content to spread. By taking these steps, we can prevent bomb threats and similar hoaxes, ensuring that social media no longer serves as a vehicle for fear and criminal activity.