The Canadian government has officially designated the Bishnoi Gang, led by incarcerated Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, as a terrorist entity under its Criminal Code. The move, announced on September 29, 2025, aims to curb the group’s activities, which Ottawa says have targeted specific diaspora communities within Canada, particularly those of Sikh descent.
The decision follows months of reports linking the Bishnoi Gang to violent acts against pro-Khalistan figures in Canada. Indian authorities, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have consistently denied any connection to the gang’s operations, rejecting claims that India used the group to target Sikh extremists abroad. Instead, New Delhi has pressed Canada to crack down on terrorist elements and their financiers operating on Canadian soil.
Lawrence Bishnoi, a former student leader from Chandigarh, Punjab, remains in Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. His gang has been implicated in high-profile crimes in India, including the murders of singer Sidhu Moosewala and Mumbai politician Baba Siddiqui. The group has also issued threats against Bollywood actor Salman Khan. Key associates, including Anmol Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, and Rohit Godara, have been linked to the gang, though recent reports suggest Brar and Godara may have distanced themselves.
Transnational Threat Operating from India
According to a Canadian government press release, the Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal organization primarily based in India but with a presence in Canada. The group is active in areas with significant diaspora populations, engaging in murder, shootings, arson, extortion, and intimidation to sow fear. “The Bishnoi Gang targets prominent community members, businesses, and cultural figures, creating a climate of insecurity,” the statement noted.
Canada’s Public Safety Minister, Gary Anandasangaree, emphasized the government’s commitment to safety. “Everyone in Canada deserves to feel secure in their homes and communities. By listing the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity, we are equipping law enforcement with stronger tools to combat their crimes and protect targeted communities,” he said.
High-Profile Incidents Fuel Concerns
The gang’s activities came under intense scrutiny following the June 2023 killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, outside a gurdwara in Canada. The Bishnoi Gang also claimed responsibility for shootings outside the homes of Punjabi singers AP Dhillon and Gippy Grewal in Canada in 2024. These incidents, coupled with broader concerns from the Sikh diaspora and Canadian Conservative leaders, have fueled calls for action against the group.
Tensions between Canada and India escalated after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested in 2023 that Indian intelligence may have used criminal organizations like the Bishnoi Gang to carry out violence in Canada. India firmly rejected these allegations, pointing to its repeated extradition requests for gang members, which remain pending with Canadian authorities.
Implications of the Terrorist Designation
The Bishnoi Gang’s addition brings the total number of terrorist entities listed under Canada’s Criminal Code to 88. The designation allows authorities to freeze or seize the group’s assets in Canada, including property, vehicles, and funds. It also enhances law enforcement’s ability to prosecute offenses related to terrorism, such as financing, recruitment, and travel. Additionally, the listing empowers immigration and border officials to make informed decisions about admissibility to Canada.
The Canadian government’s action underscores its resolve to address transnational crime and protect diaspora communities from targeted violence and intimidation.
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