New Delhi: A confidential assessment prepared by Canada’s federal police has alleged that Lawrence Bishnoi, a jailed gangster in India, continues to control an extensive international crime syndicate from behind bars and may be linked to activities aligned with Indian state interests.
According to a classified report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), obtained by Canadian media outlet Global News, Bishnoi is accused of overseeing extortion rackets, narcotics trafficking and contract killings while incarcerated in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail. The report further suggests that the criminal network has expanded its footprint in Canada and is involved in violent acts targeting individuals viewed as threats by New Delhi.
The document surfaced at a sensitive moment, as India and Canada prepare to re-engage in trade discussions after months of strained diplomatic relations.
Bishnoi, who has been in Indian custody since 2015, is described in the report as maintaining operational control through trusted associates, including Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar, also known as Satinderjeet Singh. Investigators estimate the syndicate comprises nearly 700 members spread across India, North America, Europe and other regions.
Canadian authorities link the group to a string of shootings and extortion cases across several provinces, alleging that violence is routinely used to enforce demands and protect illegal revenue streams such as money laundering and drug distribution.
More controversially, the RCMP report claims that elements within the Indian government have allegedly worked with criminal intermediaries, including the Bishnoi network, to target Sikh separatist figures abroad. Among the incidents cited are the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, and the death of Sukhdool Singh in Winnipeg. Both men had been designated as terrorists by Indian authorities.
The report alleges that intercepted communications point to the involvement of senior Indian officials in Nijjar’s killing, a claim that has significantly deepened tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi.
Canada first made public its concerns about alleged collaboration between Indian agents and the Bishnoi gang on October 15, 2024, when the RCMP stated it possessed “substantial information” indicating coordinated criminal activity. India swiftly dismissed the accusations as baseless and politically driven, responding by expelling six Canadian diplomats and recalling its high commissioner from Ottawa.
As of Wednesday, neither the Indian government, the Gujarat prison authorities nor the Indian High Commission in Canada had issued an official response to the latest report made public by Global News.
The revelations are likely to further complicate already fragile relations between the two countries, particularly as both sides attempt to balance economic engagement with unresolved security and diplomatic disputes.
