Lawrence Bishnoi's Family Spent Rs 40 Lakh Annually on Jailed Gangster Since 2015: Cousin Reveals
New Delhi: In a shocking revelation, the cousin of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi disclosed that his family has been spending approximately Rs 40 lakh annually on the jailed criminal since 2015. Bishnoi, whose involvement has been alleged in multiple high-profile crimes, including the fatal shooting of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, is currently lodged in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Central Jail. Investigations are ongoing by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Lawrence Bishnoi, born Balkaran Brar, hails from a wealthy family that reportedly continues to support him financially, despite his criminal activities. His cousin, Ramesh Bishnoi, aged 50, recently made the revelation to The Daily Guardian, shedding light on the family’s long-standing affluence and their financial backing of Lawrence’s lifestyle, even while behind bars.
Family’s Financial Support
Ramesh Bishnoi explained that Lawrence's father, a former constable in the Haryana Police, owns 110 acres of land in their village. The family has been well-off for years, and Lawrence, even during his youth, was accustomed to expensive clothing and footwear. According to Ramesh, the family continues to spend Rs 35-40 lakh annually to support Lawrence’s needs while he is incarcerated.
"We have always been wealthy. Lawrence’s father was a constable in the Haryana Police, and we own significant land in our village. Lawrence always wore expensive clothes and shoes, and even now, the family spends Rs 35-40 lakh on him every year in jail,” Ramesh stated.
He also recalled his last interaction with Lawrence, which took place a decade ago during a court hearing.
Lawrence Bishnoi's Criminal Expansion
Lawrence Bishnoi, originally a law graduate from Panjab University, has been linked to several high-profile crimes. His gang’s involvement in the fatal shooting of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique brought his name back into the spotlight. After Siddique was shot outside his son's office, the Bishnoi gang publicly claimed responsibility, with gang member Shubham Lonkar taking credit for the attack in a social media post.
Further investigations revealed that the initial hit on Siddique was assigned to the Maharashtra module of the Bishnoi gang, which had demanded Rs 50 lakh for the job. However, the deal fell apart due to disagreements over payment and concerns about Siddique’s political influence.
The Rise of the Bishnoi Gang
Over the years, Lawrence Bishnoi's gang has expanded its reach, becoming one of the most feared criminal organizations in North India. The NIA recently likened the rise of the Bishnoi gang to that of Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company, which dominated organized crime in the 1990s. The gang has reportedly grown to include over 700 shooters, with around 300 members linked to Punjab alone.
The NIA has charged 16 gangsters, including Lawrence Bishnoi and his associate Goldy Brar, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). According to the NIA’s chargesheet, the Bishnoi gang mirrors the operations of Dawood Ibrahim’s network, which started with petty crimes but expanded into drug trafficking, extortion, and targeted killings. By 2020-21, the Bishnoi gang was earning crores through extortion, with money laundered abroad via hawala networks.
Social Media Influence
One of the notable aspects of the Bishnoi gang’s rise has been its use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to recruit and promote its activities. The gang’s social media presence has attracted young followers, bolstering its influence among youth across North India. This modern approach to criminal networking has furthered the gang’s reach, helping them build a feared reputation across the region.
Ongoing Investigations
As Lawrence Bishnoi remains in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Central Jail, both the ATS and NIA continue to investigate his involvement in various crimes, including extortion, murder, and targeted killings. His gang’s operations, which now span across states and even international borders, have drawn comparisons to some of India’s most notorious criminal organizations.
The revelations made by his cousin about the family’s financial support provide a rare glimpse into the personal life of the gangster, whose rise to infamy has left a trail of violence and fear in its wake.