Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The murder of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022 thrust Lawrence Bishnoi, leader of the notorious Bishnoi gang, into the international spotlight. Now, two years later, Bishnoi’s criminal syndicate is once again making headlines after members of the gang claimed responsibility for the killing of veteran Mumbai politician Baba Siddique. Despite being imprisoned, Bishnoi continues to exert influence over a vast network of criminals, reportedly maintaining control over 700 shooters ready for his orders.
Baba Siddique, a 66-year-old Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, was shot dead outside his son’s office in Bandra East, Mumbai. Three attackers fired multiple rounds at Siddique, and the assailants claimed to be from the Bishnoi gang. This killing is part of an ongoing cycle of violence involving the gang, which continues to operate even with Bishnoi behind bars at Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail.
The Bishnoi Gang’s Expansive Reach
The Bishnoi gang is no small-time operation. Its influence spans multiple Indian states, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh, as well as international connections, particularly in Canada, where key associate Goldy Brar operates. Even while imprisoned, Bishnoi’s control over the gang remains strong, with extortion, murder, and arms trafficking at the core of their operations.
The gang primarily targets high-profile individuals, including Punjabi celebrities, business owners, and members of the liquor mafia. Bishnoi’s team employs professional shooters to carry out these hits, intimidating their targets into submission. The gang’s reach has only grown over the years, with key figures like Goldy Brar managing international operations.
How Lawrence Bishnoi Operates from Jail
Whether confined in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail or Delhi’s Tihar Jail, Bishnoi has managed to bypass prison restrictions by using mobile phones and high-tech virtual private networks (VPNs) to communicate with his associates. A viral video from earlier this year allegedly shows Bishnoi in conversation with Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti. Through apps like Signal and Telegram, Bishnoi coordinates with his gang members in India and abroad, staying in close contact with his brother Anmol and key figures like Goldy Brar and Rohit Godara.
Bishnoi’s network is highly organized, resembling the structure of a corporate entity. The gang not only has divisions for logistics, legal matters, and information gathering, but also employs around 700 shooters. Many of these shooters are recruited from local gangs and trained in arms use, often without even knowing who they are working for. These underage recruits are typically motivated by the promise of quick money and given a single task: eliminate the target.
High-Profile Crimes of the Bishnoi Gang
The Bishnoi gang has been involved in several high-profile cases over the years, including the assassination of Sidhu Moose Wala and numerous extortion attempts. Despite being imprisoned, Lawrence Bishnoi has managed to orchestrate many of these crimes from within jail. Jail authorities suspect that Bishnoi, like many other incarcerated gang leaders, has smuggled mobile phones and continues to command his empire from behind bars.
One of Bishnoi’s most notorious plots was the plan to assassinate Bollywood actor Salman Khan in retaliation for the blackbuck hunting case. As the blackbuck is considered sacred by the Bishnoi community, the gang issued a ₹25 lakh contract to kill the actor. The plan involved acquiring advanced firearms from Pakistan, including AK-47s and Turkish-made Zigana pistols, the same type of weapon used in the Moose Wala murder.