Washington: The United States has, for the first time, formally named jailed Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his close associate Goldy Brar in connection with the 2023 killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, as part of a wider operation targeting organised crime networks spanning several countries.
The allegations are part of a federal indictment unveiled under Operation Hard Ball, a coordinated law enforcement initiative involving agencies from the United States, Canada and Europe. The operation has so far resulted in the arrest of 24 individuals, while charges have been filed against 37 people accused of participating in international criminal syndicates.
According to the US Department of Justice, investigators believe Bishnoi, despite being lodged in an Indian prison, continued to direct criminal activities through an extensive overseas network. Prosecutors alleged that Goldy Brar, identified as the organisation’s North American coordinator, acted on Bishnoi’s instructions in carrying out various operations, including the assassination of Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023.
The indictment claims that Bishnoi maintained communication with his associates through illegally obtained mobile devices and encrypted communication channels, enabling him to oversee organised crime activities across multiple countries. The charges describe a network allegedly involved in contract killings, extortion, narcotics trafficking, kidnappings and other offences.
US authorities also indicated that they intend to pursue the extradition of Bishnoi and another jailed gangster, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, arguing that both continued to manage criminal enterprises while incarcerated in India. Officials, however, did not provide a timeline for any formal extradition proceedings.
Significantly, the US indictment does not accuse the Indian government of any role in Nijjar’s killing. This comes as a senior Canadian police official recently stated there was no evidence supporting earlier political claims that linked Indian state agents to the assassination, remarks that differ from allegations made by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2023.
Beyond the Nijjar case, the investigation paints a broader picture of an international crime network allegedly stretching across India, North America and Europe. Prosecutors said the syndicate financed its operations through drug trafficking, armed robberies and extortion, while also stealing narcotics shipments from rival criminal organisations.
Authorities reported seizing nearly one tonne of cocaine, heroin, firearms and cash during raids connected to the operation. Investigators also announced separate indictments against criminal groups allegedly led by Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Canada-based gangster Ravinder Singh Dhanda, accusing them of offences ranging from murder-for-hire and firearms trafficking to cross-border drug smuggling.
Officials described Operation Hard Ball as one of the most extensive international crackdowns on organised crime linked to South Asian networks, adding that investigations into the syndicates and their overseas operations remain ongoing.
