Canada Lists Bishnoi Gang as 'Terror Entity,' Citing Threats to Diaspora
Lawrence Bishnoi and his gang are accused of high profile killings including that of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and also noted politician Baba Siddiqui and he faces several serious charges in India
Bharatiya Abroad | Edited by Staff Writer | Updated: September 29, 2025 9:20 pm UTC
New Delhi/Ottawa: The Canadian government has officially listed the Bishnoi Gang as a "terror entity" under its Criminal Code, a dramatic move that puts the spotlight on a major transnational criminal organization allegedly run by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi from within India.
The listing, announced on Sunday, September 29, gives Canadian law enforcement enhanced powers to seize assets, prosecute financing offenses, and bar group members from entering Canada.
Transnational Operation Targets Specific Communities
While New Delhi has long sought action against terror groups targeting India from Canadian soil, Ottawa’s decision was based on the gang's activities within Canada, particularly targeting the Sikh diaspora.
Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, stated the listing was crucial to protecting citizens: "Specific communities have been targeted for terror, violence and intimidation by the Bishnoi Gang. Listing this group of criminal terrorists gives us more powerful and effective tools to confront and put a stop to their crimes.”
The Canadian government’s press release specifically cited the "climate of insecurity" created by the gang, noting they engage in "murder, shootings and arson," generating terror through "extortion and intimidation" by targeting prominent community members, businesses, and cultural figures.
The Gang, Khalistan, and Diplomatic Tensions
The Bishnoi Gang has been at the center of a bitter diplomatic storm between India and Canada, particularly since the June 2023 killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara.
Reports over the past year have consistently linked the Bishnoi gang to the targeting of pro-Khalistan elements and Sikh Canadian citizens inside Canada. This context heightened diplomatic tensions when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly alleged that Indian intelligence had used "criminal organisations like the Lawrence Bishnoi gang" to carry out violence against Canadians.
The Indian government has vehemently rejected these allegations, asserting that it has sought the extradition of Bishnoi gang members from Canada for years—a fact highlighted again by Delhi to underline the political hypocrisy in Ottawa's accusations.
What the Terror Listing Means
The Bishnoi Gang now becomes the 88th entity listed under the Canadian Criminal Code. The designation is a powerful legal tool that:
Freezes Assets: Property, vehicles, and money owned by the group in Canada can be frozen or seized.
Enhances Prosecution: It provides Canadian law enforcement with more effective tools to prosecute terrorist offenses, including those related to financing, travel, and recruitment.
Immigration Control: The listing is directly used by immigration and border officials to inform decisions on admissibility to Canada.
Despite being lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad, India, Lawrence Bishnoi is allegedly able to run a sophisticated network, with key associates including his younger brother Anmol Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, and Rohit Godara. The gang has recently claimed responsibility for high-profile incidents, including the 2024 firings outside the homes of Punjabi singers AP Dhillon and Gippy Grewal in Canada, demonstrating its cross-border reach.
The official terror listing marks a significant escalation in Canada's efforts to dismantle the network and address the violence and intimidation affecting its diaspora communities.