Who is Lawrence Bishnoi, the gangster who is making headlines for Baba Siddique’s murder?

Chandigarh: The murder of veteran politician and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique has thrown the spotlight on the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has now claimed responsibility for the attack. This incident marks a significant escalation in the gang’s violent tactics and influence on the working landscape of criminal gangs in India.

Beginnings

Lawrence Bishnoi, born on February 12, 1993 in Fazilka, Punjab, began his criminal career while he was a student. After completing his 12th standard, he enrolled at DAV College in Chandigarh, where he became involved in student politics and befriended gangster Goldie Brar.

Bishnoi reportedly turned to crime out of a desire for revenge and acquired a firearm after an argument turned violent. His criminal activities took off after the alleged gang murder of his girlfriend, cementing his descent into the underworld.

Bishnoi has been linked to several criminal cases, with over 24 registered against him, including murder and extortion. Despite being imprisoned in Ahmedabad Central Jail on drug smuggling charges, he continues to orchestrate criminal operations behind bars, demonstrating a level of influence that has become his gang’s trademark.

The gang’s operations

According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Lawrence Bishnoi gang operated with over 600 gunmen and has expanded its reach across India by forging alliances with criminal organizations in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and beyond.

These alliances have allowed Bishnoi to use resources and manpower effectively, building a formidable criminal network. The gang is reportedly known for extorting money, smuggling drugs, engaging in violent activities and communicating with shooters.

The operational breadth is supported by key staff including Goldie Brar, who manages ground level activities and communications with shooters.

Criminal organizations and activities

Lawrence Bishnoi aka Satwinder Singh was initially associated with gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and later became friends with Sampat Nehra and Haryana gangster Kala Jathedi. His criminal exploits included smuggling alcohol and drugs, which struck fear into businessmen in Punjab and Haryana. However, the law eventually caught up with him, leading to his arrest in 2014. After briefly escaping custody, he was arrested again in 2016 and has been incarcerated ever since.

Despite his imprisonment, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is actively operating outside, comprising professional shooters from various states. Lawrence communicates indirectly through his close associates like Goldie Brar and Anmol Bishnoi.

Recent violence and high-profile murders

The gang’s notoriety was fueled by high-profile murders, including the murder of Punjabi singer Sindhu Moosewala, for which Goldie Brar claimed responsibility. The gang was then implicated in the murder of Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena president Sukhdev Gogamedi, with Rohit Godara claiming responsibility through social media.

On April 14, 2024, gunmen attacked Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence, with Lawrence’s brother Anmola Bishnoi claiming responsibility. This attack was due to Lawrence’s long-standing vendetta against Salman Khan, stemming from the actor’s involvement in a blackbuck hunting case in 1998 that angered the Bishnoi community.

NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai on October 12 in a brazen attack that sent shockwaves across the political landscape. In a related development, a Facebook post attributed to a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang claimed responsibility for the attack.

The post claimed that Siddique was targeted due to his links with Bollywood actor Salman Khan and notorious underworld figures Anuj Thapan and Dawood Ibrahim. It ominously said: “We have no enmity with anyone, but those who help Salman Khan and Dawood’s gang should keep their accounts in order. If someone causes one of our brothers to be killed, we will respond.”

Recruitment and expansion

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has effectively used social media to recruit young people, often luring them with the promise of emigration to Western countries such as Canada. The gang’s outreach efforts are supplemented by alliances with external elements, including Khalistani terrorists such as Harvinder Singh Rinda, who reportedly use Bishnoi’s gunmen for targeted killings in Punjab.

Bishnoi’s ability to communicate with his associates from prison raises concerns about law enforcement’s ability to curb such organized crime. The NIA has filed a charge sheet against Bishnoi and several associates under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), showing how seriously the authorities are addressing the menace posed by this gang.

Law enforcement response

After Siddique’s murder, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held talks with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar to clarify the situation. Investigative efforts are currently focused on dismantling the Bishnoi gang’s network, with police tracing communications that may have originated from Sabarmati Central Jail.

Read more

1. Baba Siddiqui murder case: Ossification test of the accused proves that he is not a minor
2. Baba Siddique Murder: Three shooters who came to Mumbai cleared the air and received advance payment
3. Siddique murder: Mumbai police arrest Pune co-conspirators; Bishnoi gang “claims” responsibility