First queries by US on Anmol Bishnoi extradition, Govt preparing details

According to a source, Anmol Bishnoi, 25, was arrested by US immigration authorities in November 2024 for allegedly travelling with fake documents. “Since then, he has been in a US prison,” a source said.

In a communication to the Ministry of Home Affairs via the Ministry of External Affairs last month, the US Department of State made multiple queries – asked number of cases registered against Anmol Lovinder Singh Bishnoi alias Bhanu alias Bhaiji in which he had direct involvement, technical evidences against him, and his financial details. “After receiving the queries, the Centre has asked the agency concerned to prepare all the data and likely to send it to the US in the coming days,” a source in the security establishment said.

Anmol was allegedly involved in singer Sidhu Moosewala’s killing in May 2022, around eight months after he was released on bail from a Jodhpur jail. Anmol fled to the US on May 15, 2022, carrying a fake passport issued in the name of one Bhanu. Last year, however, US Immigration Department found that one of the reference letters of a company, attached to his travel documents, was forged. A Red Corner Notice was issued against him on December 6, 2022.

In January, the Mumbai Police crime branch, investigating the murder of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, had named Anmol as the mastermind, who roped in Lonkar and Akhtar to allegedly carry out the killing. Later, a special court in Mumbai issued non-bailable warrants against three persons, including Anmol, in connection with the case.

Following his arrest last year, three FBI officials met senior officials of multiple agencies in India, headed by a senior CBI official, to discuss Anmol case status. “In a meeting, FBI officials also discussed the cases, evidence against Anmol, his involvement in the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, and the firing outside actor Salman Khan’s Mumbai residence,” the source said.

The NIA had named Anmol as accused in two cases chargesheeted by them and announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh. “There are 31 cases, including 22 in Rajasthan, and nine arrest warrants against Anmol. Lawrence Bishnoi gang has a criminal syndicate encompassing Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi. Anmol is among those believed to be managing the gang’s extortion operations,” an officer said.