Who is Lawrence Bishnoi, the gang leader behind Baba Siddique’s murder and Salman Khan threats?
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has gained widespread attention in recent years due to its involvement in high-profile crimes, including the murder of political leaders and celebrities. The gang is led by Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious criminal from Punjab who is currently imprisoned, yet continues to run his operations from jail. This article will delve into the history of the gang, its rise to notoriety, and the types of crimes it is known for.
Lawrence Bishnoi: Early Life and Entry into Crime
Lawrence Bishnoi was born in Dhattaranwali, a village in Punjab’s Ferozepur district, into a prosperous family of agriculturists. He belongs to the Bishnoi community, which is known for its reverence for nature and animals, particularly the blackbuck, an antelope species that is considered sacred. Bishnoi’s family background, however, did not prevent him from taking a darker path.
Bishnoi moved to Chandigarh in 2010 for his college education, enrolling in DAV College. While pursuing his studies, he became deeply involved in student politics and quickly rose to prominence. He was elected president of the Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) in 2011, marking his first step into a life of crime. His criminal record began with an FIR for an attempted murder, and in 2011, he was implicated in a case involving assault and robbery. These early offenses were linked to student politics, but they were just the beginning of his criminal career.
The Formation of the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang
Lawrence Bishnoi’s criminal activities became more serious when he formed alliances with other notorious figures. One such figure was Jaswinder Singh alias Rocky, a gangster-turned-politician from Punjab. Together, they expanded their operations across Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, initially under the guise of student politics. The gang’s activities included extortion, murder, and organized crime, which became their hallmark.
Rocky was assassinated in 2016, a significant moment that propelled Bishnoi into the leadership role of the gang. Despite Rocky’s death, the gang continued to thrive, expanding its criminal reach to include major cities like Sri Ganganagar and Bharatpur.
#LawrenceBishnoi is in Tihar Jail. I find it hard to believe he got #BabaSiddique assassinated this needs thorough investigation. If Bishnoi really got #BabaSiddiqueShotDead from jail then it raises the big question of Tihar Jail officials and a big intelligence failure too. pic.twitter.com/3RbMqPTvIf
— Ganesh (@me_ganesh14) October 13, 2024
Notable Crimes and High-Profile Murders
One of the most infamous crimes linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. A member of Bishnoi’s gang, Goldy Brar, claimed responsibility for the killing, which was reportedly an act of revenge for the murder of another political figure, Vikramjit Singh, also known as Vicky Middukhera. This act brought the gang under national scrutiny, further enhancing its notoriety.
In addition to Moosewala’s murder, the gang has been connected to other high-profile crimes, including extortion threats against Bollywood actor Salman Khan. Bishnoi himself had reportedly harbored a long-standing grudge against Khan due to the actor’s involvement in the blackbuck poaching case, as the Bishnoi community holds the blackbuck in high esteem. The gang has also been implicated in the murders of gym owners and other public figures, often as part of gang rivalries.
Lawrence Bishnoi’s Imprisonment and Continued Operations
Despite being imprisoned in Sabarmati Central Jail, Lawrence Bishnoi has continued to lead his gang from behind bars. He was transferred to Gujarat by the state’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) due to his involvement in cross-border drug smuggling. From within the prison, Bishnoi is believed to have orchestrated several criminal operations, including revenge killings and extortion schemes.
The Rise of the Bishnoi Gang in Northern India
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s operations are primarily concentrated in northern states such as Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi. However, their influence has recently expanded, with Mumbai police suspecting that the gang is trying to fill the vacuum left by the neutralization of traditional underworld gangs like those led by Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan. The gang’s ability to operate across state borders and its connections to international criminal networks have made it a formidable force in organized crime in India.
Read More: Tejaswini Nandamuri steals the spotlight at Unstoppable season 4 launch
