India’s most wanted: Anmol Bishnoi caught in California amid global gang crackdown

Anmol Bishnoi apprehended: In a significant development, Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has reportedly been detained by U.S. authorities in California. While Indian agencies have yet to confirm the news officially, sources indicate that Bishnoi, known for running gang operations alongside Goldy Brar, was apprehended nearly five days ago. Authorities are working through official channels to verify the details surrounding his detention.

Previous High-Profile Detentions

This is the second major international detention of a wanted Indian gangster in recent weeks. Last month, Arshdeep Singh Gill, alias Arsh Dalla, was detained in Canada. Bishnoi, who was last located in Fresno, California, is suspected to have been apprehended in the same region. Indian officials are investigating the circumstances of his detention and liaising with their U.S. counterparts for further details.

Criminal Allegations and Mumbai Police Involvement

The Mumbai police have intensified efforts to extradite Anmol Bishnoi, who is implicated in several high-profile cases. These include a firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence in April and the killing of Nationalist Congress Party leader Baba Siddique in October. “An extradition request is being prepared to bring Bishnoi to justice,” a senior officer stated. Additionally, Bishnoi was placed on the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) most wanted list, with a ₹10 lakh reward declared for his capture.

Social Media and Evidence Links

Investigations have revealed Bishnoi’s connections with the assailants in Baba Siddique’s murder through platforms like Snapchat. Shortly after Siddique’s assassination, gang member Shubham Lonkar took responsibility for the crime via a social media post, raising concerns over the gang's bold operations. Operating from the U.S., Anmol Bishnoi and Goldy Brar reportedly manage the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s widespread syndicate. This includes extortion, assassinations, and collaborating with pro-Khalistan groups like Babbar Khalsa International.

The NIA has labeled this network as the "new underworld," reminiscent of the pre-1993 Mumbai blasts era, linking gangsters to industries like music and film. Spanning states like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, the Bishnoi gang orchestrates recruitment, funding, and arms supply from overseas. Anmol Bishnoi is also suspected of involvement in the 2022 assassination of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, further cementing the gang’s notorious legacy.