Lawrence Bishnoi’s Global Crime Empire: 700 Shooters, 6 Countries, and a Plot Straight Out of Dawood's Playbook

New revelations are emerging regarding the murder of Baba Siddique, linking it to the notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Arrested shooters have claimed connections to the Bishnoi gang, and Mumbai police have confirmed this connection. Two out of three shooters involved in the Saturday night shooting in Bandra have been arrested, and the investigation points toward Bishnoi’s gang as the orchestrator of the crime.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been actively investigating Lawrence Bishnoi and his network, alongside his close associate, Goldy Brar. Recently, the NIA filed a significant charge sheet in the gangster-terror case, revealing that Bishnoi's syndicate is expanding in a manner similar to Dawood Ibrahim’s empire. The comparison suggests that Bishnoi is following a path similar to Dawood, who initially built his network through small-scale crimes in the 1990s before expanding into drug trafficking, extortion, and targeted killings.

Bishnoi’s Expanding Criminal Empire

Much like Dawood Ibrahim, Bishnoi's gang began with smaller crimes before spreading its influence across North India. The gang now controls territories in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. According to the NIA, Bishnoi’s empire spans 11 Indian states and has spread internationally to six countries, including the U.S., Azerbaijan, Portugal, UAE, and Russia.

The gang operates with a network of over 700 shooters, 300 of whom are from Punjab. Goldy Brar, wanted by both Canadian and Indian authorities, reportedly helps Bishnoi manage operations from abroad. The NIA's charge sheet highlights that Bishnoi and Brar used social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to build their image, sharing photos and videos of Bishnoi during court appearances to promote the gang.

Global Expansion and Recruitment

Bishnoi's gang has reportedly amassed millions through extortion, funneling money abroad via hawala networks. The gang's recruitment strategy focuses on luring young individuals with promises of relocating to countries like Canada. Once recruited, these youth are often involved in criminal activities, including targeted killings in Punjab. Bishnoi’s connection with Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda further strengthens his gang’s ties to cross-border criminal operations.

The NIA recently filed charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, and 16 other gangsters, marking a significant step in cracking down on this vast criminal syndicate.