Behind Bars but still in Control: Here’s How gangster Lawrence Bishnoi operates from behind bars

In recent months, a series of violent incidents have rocked India, drawing attention to the notorious figure of Lawrence Bishnoi.

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has received death threats, Sidhu Moose Wala was brutally murdered, a gym owner was shot in an upscale area of South Delhi, and now NCP leader Baba Siddique has been killed — all these incidents point to one individual: Lawrence Bishnoi.

Currently imprisoned in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail, Bishnoi is reportedly running a complex network of gang members using mobile phones and VPNs. With his suspected role in the high-profile murder of Baba Siddique, who was a close associate of Salman Khan, there are growing concerns that he could reignite gang wars and underworld activities reminiscent of the 1970s in Mumbai, involving infamous figures like Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Rajan, and Abu Salem.

The accused gangster faces charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). However, how is he managing to control his gang while being in prison? What led him to become the person he is now? What notable cases are associated with him? Let’s explore these questions in detail.

Lawrence Bishnoi is a well-known Indian gangster who has more than twenty criminal cases against him, which include serious offenses like murder and extortion. He was born on February 12, 1993, in Ferozpur, Punjab. His life changed for the worse during his college years in Chandigarh, where he became involved in student politics and engaged in criminal activities.

Bishnoi was jailed for the first time in Bathinda in 2012, and then shifted to Tihar after being charged with the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

In 2013, he shot dead the winning candidate of the Government college elections in Muktsar and a rival candidate in the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation elections.

Bishnoi has been linked to multiple criminal cases, with over two dozen registered against him, including murders of political leaders and extortion. His gang also ventured into liquor dealing and arms smuggling, often providing protection to murderers. Bishnoi was taken to Gujarat by the state’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in connection with a case of cross-border smuggling.

Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang includes several notable members and associates. One key figure is Jaswinder Singh, also known as Rocky, a gangster-turned-politician from Fazilka, Punjab. He played a significant role in expanding Bishnoi’s operations in cities like Sri Ganganagar and Bharatpur, often under the guise of student politics. Rocky was killed in May 2020 by a rival gang member, Jaipal Bhullar, in Himachal Pradesh.

The Bishnoi gang operates with over 700 shooters across five states and has international connections, according to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Approximately 300 of these shooters are from Punjab. The gang recruits young people by promising them emigration to Western countries like Canada, often using social media for outreach. They also collaborate with external elements, including Khalistani terrorists such as Harvinder Singh Rinda, who use Bishnoi’s shooters for targeted killings in Punjab.

Bishnoi has ties to other gangsters, including Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and was friends with Sampat Nehra and Haryana gangster Kala Jathedi. His close associates include Goldie Brar, who oversees ground-level operations and communication with shooters, and his brother Anmol Bishnoi, who was implicated in the murder of singer Sidhu Moose Wala.

Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang includes several notable members and associates. One key figure is Jaswinder Singh, also known as Rocky, a gangster-turned-politician from Fazilka, Punjab. He played a significant role in expanding Bishnoi’s operations in cities like Sri Ganganagar and Bharatpur, often under the guise of student politics. Rocky was killed in May 2020 by a rival gang member, Jaipal Bhullar, in Himachal Pradesh.

The Bishnoi gang operates with over 700 shooters across five states and has international connections, according to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Approximately 300 of these shooters are from Punjab. The gang recruits young people by promising them emigration to Western countries like Canada, often using social media for outreach. They also collaborate with external elements, including Khalistani terrorists such as Harvinder Singh Rinda, who use Bishnoi’s shooters for targeted killings in Punjab.

Bishnoi has ties to other gangsters, including Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and was friends with Sampat Nehra and Haryana gangster Kala Jathedi. His close associates include Goldie Brar, who oversees ground-level operations and communication with shooters, and his brother Anmol Bishnoi, who was implicated in the murder of singer Sidhu Moose Wala.

Bishnoi continues to run his operations from prison by leveraging strong connections, including pro-Khalistan groups. He avoids bail applications and uses advanced communication methods like VoIP and Dabba Calling to communicate with his associates. “Dabba Calling” allows criminals to make untraceable calls by routing them through illegal exchanges, avoiding detection by law enforcement.

Bishnoi gained attention in 2018 when his associate Sampath Nehra was involved in planning the assassination of actor Salman Khan, linked to the Black Buck hunting case. In 2022, Bishnoi was implicated in the shooting of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, with Goldy Brar, operating from abroad, claiming responsibility and stating that it was coordinated with Bishnoi, who was in Tihar Jail at the time. In December 2023, a right-wing leader, Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, was shot dead in his home, with Rohit Godara from Bishnoi’s gang claiming responsibility on social media.

The feud between Lawrence Bishnoi and Salman Khan dates back to the incident in 1998 when Khan was accused of hunting blackbucks, which are sacred to the Bishnoi community. Bishnoi expressed his desire for Khan to apologize for the incident, stating that his main goal in life is to seek retribution. Bishnoi even warned Khan through social media messages, hinting at potential consequences if Khan did not take his threats seriously.

The recent incident of gunshots fired outside Salman Khan’s residence in Bandra in April 2024 has raised concerns about the ongoing tensions between Bishnoi and Khan. It’s a situation that continues to capture attention due to the history and intensity of their conflict.

Two suspects admitted their connection to the Bishnoi gang. In March 2023, Salman Khan’s manager received a threatening email, leading to an FIR against Bishnoi, his associate Goldy Brar from Canada, and Mohit Garg. The email mentioned an interview where Bishnoi issued a death threat and stated that Brar wanted to meet Khan in person. It warned that while they were just sharing information this time, there would be serious consequences in the future.