The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has recently come under heavy scrutiny for its alleged involvement in several high-profile criminal activities, including the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique. It has also been linked to repeated threats against Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.
Lawrence Bishnoi, a 31-year-old gangster from Punjab’s Ferozepur district, has accumulated a long list of accusations ranging from extortion to murder. Despite being lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail, he has managed to continue running his criminal operations from behind bars.
Bishnoi’s rise to power in the criminal underworld was not without challenges. The gang has been involved in many violent rivalries, often carrying out revenge killings as part of its operations. The gang’s activities have spanned various regions, especially in northern India, targeting influential figures in both politics and business.
The Bishnoi gang has also been involved in several cross-border smuggling operations, particularly drug trafficking. Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has accused Bishnoi of using his network to facilitate smuggling between India and neighboring countries.
Lawrence Bishnoi’s threats to Salman Khan stem from the 1998 poaching case in which Khan was accused of killing a blackbuck during the filming of a movie in Rajasthan. The Bishnoi community considers the blackbuck a sacred animal and has long held a grudge against the actor.
The gang’s involvement in the murder of Sidhu Moosewala became clear when Goldy Brar, an associate of Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the killing. Brar stated that the murder was carried out in revenge for the killing of another youth leader named Vicky Middukhera.
The Bishnoi gang operates through violent tactics, extortion, and contract killings. Its ability to operate from within the prison system and communicate through associates or smuggled mobile phones has made it one of the most feared gangs in northern India.
As Mumbai’s traditional underworld gangs have been largely neutralized, police suspect that Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang is attempting to fill the void. With its roots in northern India, the gang has been extending its reach into Mumbai, especially through its connections in the Bollywood industry and local politics.
Mumbai’s police force is acutely aware of the rising threat posed by the Bishnoi gang. Multiple measures have been taken to prevent the gang from establishing a foothold in the city.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s activities have sparked widespread concern, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime.
Must Read: Pakistan Imposes Section 144 in Rawalpindi Ahead of SCO Summit
