700 shooters across 11 states: How Lawrence Bishnoi is building a crime empire like Dawood Ibrahim

PTC News Desk: The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a criminal syndicate known for its growing influence across north India, has taken responsibility for the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique. According to a chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the gang, led by Lawrence Bishnoi and his key associate Goldy Brar, is following a trajectory similar to that of notorious underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

The NIA's investigation reveals that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which operates with over 700 shooters across 11 states, is building a criminal network that mirrors Dawood Ibrahim's rise to power, beginning with minor crimes and growing into a large-scale operation involving extortion, contract killings, and money laundering.

NIA’s Chargesheet: Lawrence Bishnoi’s rise to power

The NIA has filed a detailed chargesheet under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against 16 members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, including Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. The chargesheet compares the gang's operations to those of Dawood Ibrahim’s infamous D-Company, highlighting how Bishnoi’s syndicate has rapidly expanded from small-scale crimes to a powerful and well-coordinated criminal empire.

According to the NIA, just as Dawood Ibrahim rose to prominence in the 1990s through drug trafficking, extortion, and targeted killings, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has adopted a similar modus operandi. With a network extending beyond India’s borders, Dawood aligned himself with Pakistani terrorists, and now Bishnoi’s gang is allegedly forming similar alliances with international criminal elements, including Khalistani terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, based in Pakistan.

A Gang with 700 shooters and growing influence

One of the most alarming details in the NIA’s chargesheet is the revelation that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang operates with over 700 shooters, with approximately 300 active in Punjab alone. Goldy Brar, the gang’s co-leader who is wanted by both Indian and Canadian authorities, is believed to be managing the day-to-day operations from abroad.

The gang has taken full advantage of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to promote their activities, with photos of Bishnoi and Goldy Brar often circulating online. This widespread visibility is luring more young recruits into the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, further expanding its influence and reach.

Criminal enterprise and extortion network

By 2020-21, the Bishnoi gang had amassed crores of rupees through an extensive extortion racket, a key source of income that has fueled its expansion. These funds are reportedly funneled abroad through hawala channels, much like the methods used by Dawood Ibrahim during his early years of criminal activity. This wealth has enabled the gang to grow from its origins in Punjab to become a major force across several Indian states.

Also Read: Baba Siddique shot dead: Who are the killers? Is Lawrence Bishnoi gang involved? What Mumbai police have found so far

Expanding across multiple states

While the Lawrence Bishnoi gang initially operated out of Punjab, it has since formed alliances with criminal groups in Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and other northern states, creating a vast network that now includes Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and beyond. With Goldy Brar's help, Bishnoi has managed to extend his criminal activities across much of North India, making the gang one of the most dangerous in the region.

This rapid expansion has drawn comparisons to how Dawood Ibrahim extended his reach in India and abroad, using local allies to strengthen his empire.

Recruiting youth with false promises

One of the most troubling aspects of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s operations is how it recruits young people. The gang tempts them with the false promise of helping them emigrate to countries like Canada or fulfilling other foreign aspirations. This tactic has helped the gang rapidly grow in size, pulling in vulnerable individuals with dreams of a better life abroad, only to involve them in violent crimes.

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