The Rise of Lawrence Bishnoi: Reflections from the Officer Who First Arrested Him
4 min read
Lawrence Bishnoi, an Indian gangster with a sprawling criminal network, has garnered notoriety across India and beyond, implicated in violent crimes, extortion rackets, and international criminal alliances. Recently, the officer who first arrested Bishnoi shared his reflections on the path that led a student politician down the road of organized crime, ultimately transforming him into one of India’s most infamous gangsters.
Early Life and Background
Lawrence Bishnoi’s journey began in Abohar, Punjab, in a family connected to the Bishnoi community, which is known for its distinct cultural practices and devotion to wildlife protection. Despite this relatively peaceful upbringing, Bishnoi’s youth was marked by academic ambition and athletic promise. During his time at DAV College in Chandigarh, he began involving himself in athletics and subsequently entered student politics at Panjab University. However, his involvement in university politics marked the beginning of a downward spiral. His affiliations with local political groups exposed him to an environment of violence and factionalism, sparking a dramatic shift from his earlier life ambitions.
Bishnoi’s Entry into Crime
During his university years, Bishnoi became associated with other aspiring athletes and student leaders, some of whom had a penchant for violence and wielded political influence. In 2010, Bishnoi was arrested for the first time after he allegedly attempted to kill a rival during student body elections, an event that shocked those around him, given his unassuming past. The officer who detained him at that time described him as a young man full of potential who seemed initially to have made a regrettable mistake. However, this arrest would prove to be the beginning rather than the end of Bishnoi’s entanglement with criminal activities.
This first brush with law enforcement only hardened Bishnoi, and in jail, he formed alliances with other incarcerated criminals. As he continued associating with gang members, Bishnoi’s contacts grew to include individuals skilled in weapon acquisition and trafficking. These connections not only facilitated his access to arms but also positioned him within a broader network of organized crime in North India, spanning regions like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Criminal Escalation and Notoriety
Bishnoi’s criminal endeavors escalated swiftly after his initial arrest, propelled by his deeply personal motives. The tragic murder of his cousin, allegedly orchestrated by rival gangs, fueled his resolve for vengeance and marked a turning point in his criminal career. He allegedly orchestrated multiple attacks against those he held responsible for his cousin’s death, drawing the attention of law enforcement across several states. Bishnoi’s operations expanded as he leveraged his network for extortion, targeting businessmen and celebrities alike.
One of the most high-profile instances of his extortion threats involved Bollywood star Salman Khan, whom Bishnoi targeted due to the actor’s historical involvement in a blackbuck poaching case—an issue particularly sensitive to the Bishnoi community, which reveres the blackbuck. Bishnoi’s threat against Khan highlighted the symbolic power he sought to wield within his community, as well as his intent to control the public narrative surrounding his identity and values.
From Student Leader to Organized Crime Kingpin
By 2014, Bishnoi was well-entrenched in a web of violent crime, from shootings to extortion rackets. His close associate, Goldy Brar, now based in Canada, would become one of his chief allies in transnational crime operations. Together, they allegedly orchestrated violent acts, including the notorious murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, which occurred while Bishnoi was incarcerated in Tihar Jail in Delhi. Brar, now a wanted criminal in both India and Canada, claimed responsibility for the murder, pointing to an ongoing feud between Bishnoi’s gang and Moosewala’s associates.
Despite repeated incarcerations, Bishnoi continued to operate his criminal network from within prison. Exploiting technology like voice-over-IP (VoIP) calls and relying on a network of loyal associates, Bishnoi maintained control over his operations across several Indian states and even extended his influence internationally. These moves further alarmed law enforcement officials, who struggled to contain his operations, as his influence persisted despite measures to restrict his access to the outside world.
Reflections from Law Enforcement
The officer who first arrested Bishnoi has expressed both surprise and regret over the criminal path Bishnoi pursued. Reflecting on Bishnoi’s early days as an athlete and student leader, the officer remarked on the seemingly wasted potential that became submerged in a life of crime and violence. In the officer’s words, Bishnoi’s transformation from a promising young student into a feared criminal highlights a broader issue of student politics intersecting with crime, a phenomenon that has sometimes marred university environments and lured individuals into unlawful paths.
Conclusion
The story of Lawrence Bishnoi is a stark reminder of the factors that can propel an individual from ordinary circumstances into the world of organized crime. Bishnoi’s trajectory underscores the role of early associations and personal vendettas in shaping a life of violence and crime. His criminal career, which began with small-scale university altercations, evolved into a massive network of transnational crime and influence, affecting lives across borders and drawing the scrutiny of law enforcement agencies worldwide. Today, Bishnoi’s case is emblematic of the challenges Indian authorities face in curbing gang violence and managing prison systems that struggle to contain high-profile criminals.
