Lawrence Bishnoi runs his criminal gang from Gujarat’s Sabarmati jail (file).
New Delhi:
Seven “shooters” working for Lawrence Bishnoi a gang linked to the shooting outside the Bollywood star Salman Khanhome and the assassination of a former minister from Maharashtra Baby Siddiquihave been arrested – in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi – in the last 48 hours, sources told NDTV on Friday.
Six semi-automatic weapons and ammunition were recovered in what the Special Cell of the Delhi Police claimed was a “pan-India” operation. The killers are being questioned about the killing of Baba Siddiqui and other operations of the Bishnoi gang, which is also listed by the Canadian Federal Police as ties to “agents” of the Indian government and cases of murder and extortion.
Sources said the shooters of the Bishnoi gang – the first arrest was made on Wednesday – were given a list of targets, including a (yet unidentified) person in Haryana. Another possible (also still unidentified) target was in Rajasthan and his execution was approved by Arzu Bishnoi.
The arrest of the seven killers and others in connection with the murder of Baba Siddiqui, the sacking of Salman Khan and the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Mus Wala is just the tip of a massive crime syndicate run by Lawrence Bishnoi from his jail cell in the Sabarmati Jail in Gujarat.
Rs 1.11 Lakh ‘Board’ for Bishnoi
Bishnoi’s disgrace led to an ironic twist of fate this week after the Kshatriya Karni Sena, a Rajput group, offered a cash reward of Rs 1.11 lakh for the gangster’s death in an “encounter”.
This followed the assassination of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, a prominent Rajput leader, in December.
READ | Rs 1.11 Lakh Cash: Karni Sena Offer For Bishnoi ‘Encounter’
Eight members of Bishnoi’s gang were arrested in this case, but one of his trusted aides, Rohit Godara, who planned the hit, escaped. Intel said he fled India on a fake passport.
Not surprisingly, Godara is believed to be in Canada, where Bishnoi’s gang has a strong base.
Assassination of Baba Siddiqui
Over a dozen other Bishnoi gangsters, including two of the three gunmen, have been arrested in connection with Baba Siddiqui’s murder. The main gunman Shivkumar Gautam and two other people involved in the murder plot are absconding, police said.
The three gunmen threw chili powder at the policeman guarding Siddiq before killing him.
READ | Baba Siddiqui shooters threw chilli powder at the cop guarding the former minister
The two arrested have been identified as Gurmel Baljit Singh, 23, from Haryana and 19-year-old Dharmaraj Kashyap from Uttar Pradesh.
Salman Khan Dismissal Case
Last Thursday, the Navi Mumbai police arrested another Bishnoi gunman – named Sukha – from Panipat in Haryana. Among the other shooters involved is Vishal, who has links with Rohit Godara.
READ | The prime accused in Salman Khan’s farm attack has been arrested
Vishal is also wanted in connection with the murder of a Gurguram businessman in March.
How Bishnoi Gang works
Orders to supporters in India and abroad are being passed through deputies, including Bishnoi’s brother Anmol, on whom the NIA today imposed a reward of Rs 10 lakh.
Anmol Bishnoi is wanted in connection with the shooting outside Salman Khan’s home.
READ | Rs 10 lakh reward for Bishnoi’s brother added to most wanted list
The Bishnoi gang is known to be involved in various criminal activities, including murder, extortion and arms trafficking, and their profile has risen over the past few years.
The group extorts money mainly from high-profile targets, including celebrities such as Punjabi singers, liquor mafia and other prominent businessmen, hiring professional gunmen to carry out hits and intimidate victims into submission.
NDTV explains | Bishnoi has 700 archers. How it works from prison
Apart from their army of assassins, the Bishnoi are also known to have separate teams that take care of logistics, deal with legal issues and gather information on their rivals, enemies and targets.
NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV in your chat.
