Lawrence Bishnoi, the notorious gangster currently incarcerated in Sabarmati Central Jail, is perhaps the most responsible man in India, taking responsibility for various high-profile killings and threats, both within the country, and across. Bishnoi has been on and off the public consciousness with recently resurfacing in the news following the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique.
The incident, which occurred on October 12, 2024, has been linked to Bishnoi’s gang, which has claimed responsibility for the killing through a social media post. The post suggested that Siddique was targeted due to his close ties with Bollywood actor Salman Khan and alleged connections to underworld figures like Dawood Ibrahim.
Bishnoi’s ability to orchestrate criminal activities from behind bars has raised significant concerns among law enforcement agencies. Despite being imprisoned since 2014, he reportedly maintains control over a vast network of over 700 shooters across multiple states in India, utilising advanced communication methods such as VoIP and “Dabba Calling” to evade detection. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has drawn parallels between Bishnoi’s operations and those of historical crime syndicates, likening his gang to Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company.
The ongoing investigations into Siddique’s murder are examining various angles, including potential political motives and the broader implications of Bishnoi’s influence in organised crime, particularly in relation to his vendetta against Salman Khan stemming from a 1998 poaching incident involving blackbucks, which are sacred to the Bishnoi community.
Bishnoi has also threatened India-Canada relations with his alleged role in the assassination of the Khalistani leader Hardeep Nijjar at the behest of the R&AW, a murder termed as cross-border terrorism. As the situation unfolds, the complexities of Bishnoi’s criminal enterprise and its implications for public safety and political stability in India remain a pressing concern and raise questions about whether his criminal empire is being allowed to stay for its benefit to the incumbent government.
Jargon
- UAPA: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, a stringent law in India aimed at preventing unlawful activities and terrorism. It allows for the detention of individuals suspected of being involved in terrorist activities.
- D-Company: A term referring to the organised crime syndicate led by Dawood Ibrahim, known for its extensive criminal network and involvement in various illegal activities. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang is compared to D-Company due to its growing influence.
- Extortion: The act of obtaining money or services through coercion or threats. The Bishnoi gang is known for extorting money from various individuals and businesses.
- VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol, a technology that allows for voice communication over the internet. Bishnoi allegedly uses this technology to communicate with his gang members from prison.
- Dabba Calling: A method used by criminals to make untraceable calls by routing them through illegal exchanges, avoiding detection by law enforcement. This technique is reportedly employed by the Bishnoi gang.
Viewpoints 💭
- The left emphasises the need for systemic reform in the prison system to prevent individuals like Lawrence Bishnoi from continuing criminal activities from behind bars.
- They argue that the socio-economic factors leading to youth recruitment into gangs should be addressed through education and employment opportunities.
- There is a call for increased transparency and accountability within law enforcement and prison authorities to curb corruption and collusion with criminals.
- The left advocates for a focus on rehabilitation and deradicalisation programs to reintegrate gang members into society.
- They stress the importance of upholding human rights and due process, even for individuals involved in organised crime, to prevent abuse of power by authorities.
- While the left focuses on addressing root causes of crime through socio-economic reforms, the right prioritises immediate law enforcement measures to curb criminal activities.
- The left’s emphasis on transparency and accountability contrasts with the right’s call for more stringent surveillance and security measures.
- The left advocates for rehabilitation and reintegration of gang members, whereas the right supports harsher penalties and expedited legal processes.
- The left sees the need for systemic reform within prisons, while the right stresses the use of technology and intelligence to prevent criminal operations from jails.
- The left’s focus on human rights and due process is juxtaposed with the right’s emphasis on national security and swift justice, highlighting differing priorities in addressing organized crime.
- The right calls for stricter law enforcement and harsher penalties for gang leaders like Lawrence Bishnoi who continue to operate from jail.
- They emphasise the need for enhanced surveillance and intelligence-sharing among states to dismantle criminal networks effectively.
- There is support for the use of advanced technology and digital tools to monitor and intercept communications within and outside prisons.
- The right advocates for stronger national security measures, including collaboration with international agencies, to address cross-border crime links.
- They argue for the reform of legal frameworks to expedite trials and ensure swift justice for high-profile criminal cases.
Prominent Voices 📣
- Zeeshan Siddique (MLA and son of Baba Siddique): Expressed concern over the safety of his family and the need for a thorough investigation into the murder.
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- Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress President): Called for a thorough investigation into the assassination, emphasising accountability.
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- Saket Gokhale (Trinamool MP): Raised concerns about possible government involvement and protection of Lawrence Bishnoi, suggesting complicity.
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- Imran Masood (Congress MP): Criticised the government’s failure to prevent the murder, questioning their ability to control orchestrated attacks from jail.
4 - Brigitte Gaubin (RCMP Assistant Commissioner): Alleged that the Bishnoi gang is connected to Indian government agents involved in criminal activities in Canada.
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- S Jaishankar (External Affairs Minister of India): Criticised Canada’s immigration policy for allowing individuals with organised crime links from Punjab, contributing to diplomatic tensions.
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- Ajit Doval (National Security Adviser): Acknowledged Bishnoi’s capability to orchestrate violence from jail, highlighting national security concerns.
- Indian Foreign Ministry: Rejected allegations by Canadian officials, attributing them to vote bank politics.
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- National Investigation Agency: Compared Bishnoi’s gang to Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company, noting its extensive operations and international connections.
- Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister): Mentioned ongoing investigations with undisclosed leads, emphasising the importance of a complete legal process.
- Harnath Singh Yadav (Former BJP MP): Advised Salman Khan to apologise to the Bishnoi community for the blackbuck poaching incident, emphasising respect for religious sentiments. 13 14
Sources 📚
