Lawrence Bishnoi is now a name everyone is talking about, especially after the murder of Baba Siddiqui, which led to his transfer to Mumbai. So, who is Lawrence Bishnoi, and how did he become one of India’s most notorious gangsters?
Born in Ferozepur, Punjab, Lawrence grew up as the son of a Haryana Police constable who later became a farmer. He completed his schooling in Abohar and pursued further studies at DAV College in Chandigarh. Here, he developed a strong interest in politics and got involved in student politics, transitioning from a student leader to a gangster.
In 2011, Lawrence became the President of the Student Parliament at Punjab University. This role served as his entry point into the criminal underworld. After earning his LLB, he connected with Goldie Brar, deepening his involvement in crime.
Lawrence has faced multiple arrests for theft, robbery, assault, and extortion, but he gained national attention when he targeted Bollywood actor Salman Khan. Following Salman’s implication in a 1998 incident that led to the death of a blackbuck in Rajasthan, a bitter rivalry ignited. From Tihar Jail, Lawrence openly threatened Salman, claiming it was an insult to the Bishnoi community, which reveres blackbucks. This feud escalated with a shooting at Salman’s residence last July.
In 2022, the Bishnoi gang, under Lawrence’s direction, killed Punjabi pop singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala. Despite sitting in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail, Lawrence orchestrates gang operations across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and now Mumbai.
Lawrence Bishnoi’s rise mirrors that of underworld gangster Dawood Ibrahim. He boasts a network of around 700 associates, with only three shooters from Punjab. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has detailed his extensive criminal activities, which span approximately 11 countries, including ongoing crimes in Canada. Like Dawood, Lawrence engages in contract killings, extortion, and various criminal enterprises.