Lawrence Bishnoi Operations: Gangster Reach Beyond Prison Walls
Lawrence Bishnoi, a 31-year-old gangster from Punjab’s Ferozepur district, continues to wield significant influence from behind bars. His network has been linked to several high-profile crimes, including the deaths of singer Sidhu Moose Wala and politician Baba Siddique, along with ongoing threats against actor Salman Khan. Bishnoi’s criminal journey began in 2010, with charges linked to student politics. He faced allegations of attempted murder and assault, which escalated to more severe crimes like murders and extortion as he rose through the ranks of Punjab’s underworld.
Bishnoi’s transition from student leader to feared criminal is tied to his involvement in politics during his college years at DAV College in Chandigarh, where he emerged as a leader in student organizations. His gang gained a reputation for using violence to settle scores in elections and to expand its influence into illegal activities like liquor distribution and arms smuggling. The Bishnoi gang is currently one of the most organized crime groups in the region, with hundreds of shooters across multiple states, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The gang’s international reach extends to Canada and other Western countries, with recruitment strategies targeting young men who are promised opportunities abroad.
Bishnoi’s name has come up repeatedly in connection with crimes committed while he was already incarcerated. Despite being held in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail under strict laws like the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and previously at Delhi’s Tihar Jail, he continues to manage gang operations using sophisticated communication tools. His methods include illegal exchanges and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to make untraceable calls, known as “Dabba Calling,” which allows him to direct his associates’ activities while evading law enforcement’s surveillance.
In recent years, Bishnoi has formed alliances with pro-Khalistan elements like Harvinder Singh Rinda, using these connections to expand his criminal enterprise. His gang’s activities include providing shooters for targeted killings and carrying out extortion rackets. The network also has a strong foothold in student politics and is often involved in local disputes that escalate into acts of violence. Bishnoi’s close associate Goldie Brar, who operates from abroad, oversees much of the gang’s on-ground activities in India. The gang has also maintained ties with figures such as Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, Sampat Nehra, and Haryana’s Kala Jathedi, forming a nexus that spans multiple criminal groups.
The most prominent controversy surrounding Bishnoi is his feud with Salman Khan, linked to the actor’s 1998 conviction for poaching blackbucks, an animal sacred to the Bishnoi community. Bishnoi has publicly stated his desire for the actor to apologize to the community, even threatening his life multiple times. In recent incidents, gunfire near Khan’s residence and threatening emails have been attributed to the gang, heightening security concerns around the actor. Bishnoi has repeatedly emphasized that his feud with Khan is personal, with demands rooted in his community’s cultural values.
The 2022 killing of Sidhu Moose Wala brought Bishnoi back into the spotlight, as his gang, along with Brar, took responsibility for the shooting. The incident not only shocked the music and political communities but also indicated the gang’s continued capability to commit high-profile crimes despite Bishnoi’s incarceration. Since then, various murders and acts of violence have been linked to his network, which continues to operate efficiently through loyal associates and sophisticated communication tactics.
The murder of right-wing leader Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi in Jaipur and recent threats issued to Bollywood celebrities signal that Bishnoi’s gang remains a significant threat. His enduring influence from jail raises concerns about the effectiveness of legal measures aimed at curbing organized crime, illustrating how deep-seated and resilient some criminal networks can be, even under strict confinement.