Lawrence Bishnoi, a name that has become synonymous with fear, control, and unchecked power in the underworld, is not your average gangster. Despite being locked away in jail for years, his reach extends far beyond prison walls, coordinating murders, running extortion rackets, and keeping entire cities on edge. Bishnoi has gained international notoriety through his gang’s involvement in high-profile crimes, most recently the assassination of Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique. But how does a man sitting behind bars in Gujarat manage to run a criminal empire, and why does the law seem unable to stop him?
Humble Beginnings to a Notorious Legacy
Lawrence Bishnoi’s story begins like many others—he was born in 1993 in a village in Punjab's Ferozepur district, into a family of a police constable. But while his father served the law, Lawrence chose a different path. Moving to Chandigarh in 2010 for college, Bishnoi quickly got sucked into the world of student politics at Panjab University. It was here that he first met Goldy Brar, another notorious gangster, and his criminal journey truly began.
Starting out with small-time crimes tied to campus politics—assaults, trespassing, and robberies—Bishnoi’s reputation grew quickly. Soon, he became involved in more serious crimes like murder and extortion, setting the foundation for what would eventually become one of India’s largest crime syndicates.
Building the Bishnoi Empire
What sets Lawrence Bishnoi apart from other gangsters is his ability to build a vast, well-oiled criminal network despite being incarcerated. Over the years, he’s built a gang that includes 700 shooters spread across India, with strongholds in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and even Delhi. His gang operates like a corporate entity, with different "departments" handling logistics, arms trafficking, extortion, and intelligence gathering.
One of his key strategies has been recruiting young men from poor backgrounds, luring them with promises of quick money. These shooters often don’t even know who they’re working for; they are simply handed a target and sent on their mission. This allows Bishnoi to maintain a distance from the actual crimes, making it harder for law enforcement to pin anything directly on him.
His right-hand man, Goldy Brar, handles much of the gang’s ground operations. Brar is believed to be operating from Canada, and his connections have helped expand Bishnoi’s network internationally, with ties to the Khalistani movement and other separatist groups. These international connections also provide a layer of protection for Bishnoi, making it harder for authorities to cut off his resources.
Operating from Jail: The Suraksha Kavach
So, how does someone in jail manage to run such a vast operation? The answer lies in what’s called his "suraksha kavach" or protective shield. Bishnoi has been in and out of various prisons, including Delhi’s Tihar Jail and Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail, but this hasn’t slowed him down. Thanks to corrupt jail officials, bribes, and political connections, he continues to have access to mobile phones and other communication tools, which allow him to stay in constant contact with his gang.
Using apps like Signal and Telegram, Bishnoi coordinates everything from contract killings to extortion rackets. In some cases, his gang even uses VPNs to mask their location, making it nearly impossible for authorities to track them down.
It’s clear that the system has failed to contain Bishnoi. Despite being slapped with numerous charges, including cases under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), Bishnoi continues to operate freely from behind bars. His gang’s international ties, especially with Khalistani groups in Canada, give him additional protection, ensuring that even from jail, his influence remains strong.
High-Profile Hits: Baba Siddique and Beyond
One of the most chilling aspects of Bishnoi’s rise to power has been his involvement in high-profile assassinations. The most recent case, the murder of Baba Siddique, has thrown Bishnoi’s name back into the spotlight. Siddique, a three-time MLA and former Maharashtra cabinet minister, was shot dead outside his son’s office in Bandra, Mumbai, during Dussehra celebrations in October 2024. The shooting was a carefully orchestrated hit, planned months in advance, with shooters using the cover of festival smoke to carry out the attack.
This wasn’t Bishnoi’s first high-profile killing. His gang is also linked to the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in May 2022, an assassination that made international headlines. Moosewala’s killing was a power play by Bishnoi’s associate, Goldy Brar, and was reportedly carried out to settle old scores.
Bishnoi’s gang is also connected to the murder of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, the president of the Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, in a dramatic shootout in Jaipur. The gang’s involvement in these killings shows a pattern of targeting high-profile individuals, often to send a message of fear and dominance.
The Salman Khan Vendetta
If all of this wasn’t enough, Bishnoi also has a personal vendetta against one of Bollywood’s biggest stars—Salman Khan. Bishnoi, who belongs to the Bishnoi community, holds a deep grudge against Khan over the actor’s involvement in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case. The blackbuck is considered sacred in Bishnoi’s community, and Lawrence has made it his mission to see that Khan pays for his crime.
In 2018, while being transported by police, Bishnoi openly threatened Khan, saying, “Salman Khan will be killed here in Jodhpur.” Since then, his gang has repeatedly tried to carry out attacks on Khan, including an assassination attempt outside Khan’s home in Bandra in 2024. Although these attempts have failed, they’ve left Khan living in constant fear, with increased security around him at all times.
Why the System Can’t Stop Him
Despite being involved in over two dozen criminal cases, including multiple murders, extortion, and arms trafficking, Bishnoi remains an untouchable figure. His ability to operate from jail points to systemic failures in law enforcement and the judiciary. His political connections, especially in Punjab and Haryana, offer him a degree of protection, while corrupt prison officials ensure that he continues to run his empire from behind bars.
What makes Bishnoi particularly dangerous is his network's ability to function almost autonomously. Even if Bishnoi were to be moved to solitary confinement or stripped of communication privileges, his gang would continue to operate under the leadership of figures like Goldy Brar. His influence has reached a point where simply locking him away isn’t enough to stop the violence.
The Future of Lawrence Bishnoi’s Reign
As things stand, Lawrence Bishnoi shows no signs of slowing down. With international connections, a loyal following, and corrupt officials in his pocket, it’s unlikely that his reign will end anytime soon. His gang continues to grow, and his influence extends beyond India’s borders, making him a global threat. The question that remains is: how long can a gangster who operates so freely from behind bars continue to evade real justice?
In the end, Lawrence Bishnoi has turned into the very embodiment of India’s struggle with organized crime—a man who, despite being locked away, seems more powerful than ever.
In Brief
Lawrence Bishnoi’s rise from a college student involved in petty politics to one of India’s most feared gangsters is a testament to the failures of the Indian law enforcement system. Despite being behind bars for over a decade, Bishnoi continues to operate with impunity, executing high-profile killings like those of Sidhu Moose Wala and Baba Siddique. His ability to bribe jail officials, and his growing network of shooters ensure that his reign of terror will continue, at least for the foreseeable future. The chilling reality is that as long as Bishnoi remains in power, no one – from politicians to celebrities – is truly safe.