The Bishnoi Gang: Rise of a Notorious Syndicate and the Push to Label It a Terror Organization
The Bishnoi Gang, led by the jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has emerged as one of India’s most feared organized crime networks. Known for its involvement in high-profile assassinations, extortion rackets, and transnational operations, the group has drawn international attention. In a significant development, Canada formally designated the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity in September 2025, highlighting growing concerns over its impact on diaspora communities.
Origins and Evolution
Lawrence Bishnoi, born in 1993 in Punjab’s Fazilka district, hails from the Bishnoi community—a Hindu group traditionally associated with environmental conservation, vegetarianism, and strict ethical principles. Ironically, Bishnoi leveraged his community identity while transitioning from student politics at Panjab University into a full-fledged criminal enterprise.
He has been in custody since around 2015, currently held in facilities such as Sabarmati Central Jail. Despite his imprisonment, Indian authorities allege he continues to orchestrate operations using smuggled mobile phones and a network of loyal associates. The gang is believed to have over 700-800 active members, primarily operating in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and neighboring regions, with significant international footprints in Canada, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
Criminal Activities and High-Profile Cases
The Bishnoi Gang specializes in a mix of traditional vendetta-driven violence and modern profit-oriented crimes, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, extortion, and contract killings. The group frequently targets businesses, celebrities, and members of the Punjabi diaspora with “protection” demands, often delivered through encrypted messaging apps or threatening calls.
Notable incidents linked to the gang include:
- The 2022 murder of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
- The 2024 assassination of Mumbai politician Baba Siddique.
- Ongoing threats against Bollywood actor Salman Khan, stemming from a long-standing grudge related to a blackbuck poaching case that offended Bishnoi community sentiments.
The syndicate has also been implicated in shootings, arson attacks, and extortion targeting South Asian communities abroad, particularly in areas like Metro Vancouver, Brampton in Ontario, and parts of California.
Canada’s Terror Designation
In September 2025, the Canadian government listed the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang (also referred to as the Bishnoi Crime Group) as a terrorist organization under its Criminal Code. This move was driven by the group’s role in creating a “climate of insecurity” through systematic violence, extortion, and intimidation within Canadian South Asian communities.
The designation provides Canadian authorities with enhanced tools, including asset freezes, travel bans, and stricter penalties for anyone supporting or financing the group. It followed appeals from provincial leaders in British Columbia and Alberta, where concerns about gang-related violence in immigrant neighborhoods had been mounting.
This decision has added fuel to existing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. Canadian reports have suggested possible links between the gang and Indian intelligence agencies for targeting Sikh separatist figures, allegations strongly denied by New Delhi. In India, the gang faces multiple charges under organized crime laws, with some cases invoking stringent terror-related provisions through agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA), though it has not received a formal national terrorist designation equivalent to Canada’s.
Broader Implications
Despite repeated crackdowns, Lawrence Bishnoi’s influence persists from behind bars, demonstrating the resilience of such syndicates. The case highlights the urgent need for stronger international cooperation to address cross-border crime that affects both origin countries and immigrant communities worldwide.
The Bishnoi Gang exemplifies the evolving nature of transnational organized crime in the digital age—blending community-based recruitment, prison-managed operations, and global reach through diaspora networks. Its activities underscore challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling gangs that exploit cultural identities and modern technology.
While the terror label in Canada strengthens legal responses abroad, critics argue it risks politicizing what is fundamentally a criminal enterprise, especially amid broader India-Canada disagreements over Khalistan-related issues. Nevertheless, coordinated efforts by Indian, Canadian, and American authorities continue, including arrests, deportations, and intelligence sharing aimed at dismantling the network.
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