Punjab Police to seek Anmol Bishnoi’s custody once NIA is done with him

“We will definitely seek his custody to interrogate him with regard to the criminal nexus being run in the state. Once NIA has finished interrogating him, we shall move the appropriate court seeking Anmol’s custody,” a senior Punjab Police officer said.

The 28 year old Anmol Bishnoi’s criminal career started as far back as 2012 when the first FIR was registered against him in Abohar City-2 police station under Sections 24, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act along with Sections 307 (attempt to murder), Section 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and Section 34 (acts with common intention) of the IPC.

Two years later he was again booked in Sadar police station Abohar under various sections of the arms act and IPC for theft, tress-pass and other offences. The majority of FIRs against him are from Abohar in Fazilka district, the home district of the Bishnoi brothers.

Born in Dutarawali village, Fazilka district, Punjab, the Bishnoi brothers hail from a modest background. Their father, Lavinder Kumar, is a former Haryana Police constable turned farmer. Lawrence Bishnoi leads the Bishnoi syndicate—a sprawling criminal network with over 800 alleged sharpshooters operating globally. The brothers’ entry into crime was influenced by student politics at Punjab University, where Lawrence forged alliances that evolved into a mafia empire involving extortion, murder, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling.

Operating largely from the shadows, Anmol emerged as Lawrence’s key overseas strategist and enforcer. After fleeing India in April 2022 via a forged passport—through Nepal, Dubai, and Kenya—he illegally entered the United States, where he continued directing operations via encrypted channels.

A viral 2023 video showed him dancing at a California wedding attended by rival Punjabi singers and a proclaimed offender linked to fake passport rackets, highlighting his audacious presence abroad. The Bishnoi gang funnels extortion proceeds into legitimate fronts such as sports clubs, real estate, yachts, films, and Canadian Premier League franchises.

Anmol faces at least 18 criminal cases in India, earning him a spot on the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) Most Wanted list in 2024, with a Rs 10 lakh reward for his capture. Key accusations include:

Sidhu Moosewala Murder (May 2022): Anmol allegedly provided weapons and logistical support to the shooters who killed the Punjabi singer in Punjab. Gang member Goldy Brar initially claimed responsibility, citing revenge for a rival politician’s death.

– Baba Siddique Assassination (October 2024): Named the chief conspirator in the killing of the former Maharashtra NCP minister outside his son’s Mumbai office. Audio clips from arrested suspects match Anmol’s voice issuing orders, per Mumbai Police chargesheet.

– Salman Khan Residence Firing (April 2024): Claimed responsibility for the shooting outside the Bollywood actor’s Mumbai home, linked to a long-standing feud over blackbuck poaching.

– Broader Terror Nexus: Chargesheeted by NIA in March 2023 for aiding Lawrence and Goldy Brar in terrorist acts from 2020–2023, including sheltering shooters, extortion from abroad, and coordinating hits.

Lawrence reportedly split from Goldy Brar in June 2025 over Anmol’s U.S. arrest and bail issues, aligning instead with Haryana gangster Noni Rana.

Anmol was detained by U.S. authorities in November 2024 after his asylum bid failed, exposed by a forged reference letter in his documents. “His extradition is a blow to the syndicate’s global reach, but the gang’s resilience—despite Lawrence’s imprisonment in Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Jail—signals ongoing challenges for Indian law enforcement,” said a senior Punjab Police officer.