In a shocking development, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, marking a significant escalation in their criminal activities.
Is Lawrence Bishnoi following the path of Dawood Ibrahim?
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has drawn parallels between the Bishnoi gang’s operations and the notorious D-Company led by Dawood Ibrahim, highlighting a disturbing trend in organized crime across India.
The NIA has filed a chargesheet under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against 16 gangsters, including Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. This legal action underscores the severity of the threat posed by this criminal syndicate, which has expanded its influence rapidly across Northern India.
Over 700 shooters in Lawrence Bishnoi gang
According to the NIA’s findings, the Bishnoi gang has followed a trajectory similar to that of Dawood Ibrahim’s criminal empire. Starting with petty crimes, the gang has evolved into a sophisticated network involved in drug trafficking, targeted killings, and extortion rackets.
The agency’s chargesheet reveals that the gang now boasts an alarming number of over 700 shooters, with approximately 300 linked to operations in Punjab alone.
Goldy Brar: A Lawrence Bishnoi’s close aide?
Satwinder Singh, alias Goldy Brar, a key figure wanted by both Canadian and Indian authorities, is reportedly running the gang’s operations. The group has leveraged social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to glorify their activities and recruit young individuals. Images of Bishnoi being transported to and from court have been widely shared, contributing to the gang’s notoriety and appeal among vulnerable youth.
What does NIA say about the Bishnoi gang?
The NIA reports that by 2020-21, the Bishnoi gang had amassed crores of rupees through extortion, with proceeds being funnelled abroad through hawala channels.
This financial prowess has enabled the gang to expand its reach beyond Punjab, forming alliances with criminal groups in Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan.
Bishnoi gang in 11 states
The gang’s influence now extends across North India, including states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand. Their recruitment tactics have evolved to include luring young people with promises of relocation to Canada or other countries of their choice and exploiting dreams of a better life abroad.
Perhaps most alarmingly, the NIA has uncovered connections between the Bishnoi gang and Khalistani terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, based in Pakistan. This collaboration allegedly involves using Bishnoi’s shooters for targeted killings and criminal activities in Punjab, adding a dangerous dimension of terrorism to their operations.
As law enforcement agencies grapple with this growing threat, the murder of Baba Siddique serves as a stark reminder of the gang’s reach and audacity. The case highlights the urgent need for a coordinated response to combat organized crime and its increasing intersection with terrorism in India.
