Lawrence Bishnoi, a gangster well-known in India and Canada for threatening Bollywood actor Salman Khan and allegedly attacking singer AP Dhillon's house, was officially declared a terrorist entity on Monday (29). The announcement was made by Gary Anandasangaree, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety. Bishnoi has been involved in several crimes, including murder, shootings, arson, extortion, and creating widespread intimidation within Indian diaspora communities across Canada.
This designation allows the Canadian government to freeze and seize assets belonging to Bishnoi or connected to his gang and provides enhanced powers to prosecute terrorism-related offenses such as funding, recruitment, and travel associated with the gang’s activities.
The announcement was made by Gary Anandasangaree, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, who outlined the gang’s involvement in numerous violent crimes including murder, shootings, arson, extortion, and creating widespread intimidation within the Indian diaspora communities across Canada. This designation allows Canadian authorities to freeze or seize assets connected to the gang and provides enhanced powers to prosecute terrorism-related offenses such as funding, recruitment, and travel associated with the gang’s activities.
Lawrence Bishnoi's history
Lawrence Bishnoi is a 32-year-old notorious gangster from India who has been incarcerated since 2014. He leads a transnational criminal network primarily operating out of India but with a significant presence in Canada, particularly in regions with substantial Indian diaspora populations such as British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta. Bishnoi’s gang has been implicated in various high-profile violent incidents in India and abroad. The criminal organization is known for its deep involvement in murder, extortion, drug and arms trafficking, and acts of intimidation targeting businesses, cultural figures, and community leaders.
Attacks, killings, and crimes linked to the gang
The Bishnoi gang’s violent activities include over 50 recorded incidents since 2023 in Canada alone, such as shootings and firebombings. For instance, the gang has been linked to attacks on comedian Kapil Sharma's café in Surrey, BC, as well as firebombings at the homes of Punjabi musicians like AP Dhillon and Gippy Grewal.
The gang has also claimed responsibility for high-profile murders, including that of Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala in India. Furthermore, the gang has been accused of targeting pro-Khalistan activists and community figures within Canada, escalating tensions and spreading fear within the people of Canada.
Impact and government response
The designation as a terrorist entity legally criminalizes any dealings with the Bishnoi gang’s assets or members within Canada. It empowers Canadian law enforcement and intelligence agencies with broader authority to disrupt the gang’s operations by targeting their financial resources and restricting recruitment or travel.
Public Safety Minister Anandasangaree emphasized that every person in Canada has the right to feel safe in their communities, and the move ensures that immigrant communities targeted by the gang now have stronger protections under the law. This step follows sustained political pressure from provincial leaders and local governments concerned about the gang's growing influence and violent activities in Canadian cities.
International relations of Bishnoi
The Bishnoi gang has also been part of controversial international allegations. In 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) linked the gang to violent actions allegedly coordinated with agents of the Indian government targeting pro-Khalistan activists in Canada, notably the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
These allegations have been strongly denied by India, which maintains that it opposes terrorism and works cooperatively with Canada to combat crime. The new designation by Canada could potentially bolster efforts to extradite gang members and dismantle the gang’s networks internationally.
