AI Generated Summary
- Since then, the Bishnoi network has been connected to the murders of Rajput leader Sukhdev Gogamedi in December 2023 and Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique in October 2024, as well as an armed attack outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence in April 2025.
- Under the Criminal Code, it is now a criminal offence for Canadian citizens—whether in Canada or abroad—to knowingly handle property owned or controlled by the gang.
- “Acts of violence and terror have no place in Canada, especially those that target specific communities to create a climate of fear and intimidation,” the government stated in its release.
In a landmark move targeting transnational organized crime, Canada has officially designated the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity under its Criminal Code. The announcement, made Monday evening by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, positions the gang alongside internationally recognized terror groups and marks a decisive step toward curbing its reach in Canada and beyond.
Canadian Crackdown on Bishnoi Network
With this classification, any asset linked to the Bishnoi gang—ranging from cash and vehicles to real estate—can now be frozen or seized by Canadian authorities. The move empowers law enforcement agencies to pursue more aggressive prosecutions against gang members, particularly in cases involving financing of terrorism or organized criminal activity.
Canadian immigration authorities have also been instructed to deny entry to any individuals suspected of gang affiliation.
“Acts of violence and terror have no place in Canada, especially those that target specific communities to create a climate of fear and intimidation,” the government stated in its release.
Under the Criminal Code, it is now a criminal offence for Canadian citizens—whether in Canada or abroad—to knowingly handle property owned or controlled by the gang. Providing funds or assets that could benefit the group, directly or indirectly, will also constitute a serious criminal violation.
Political Push and Public Pressure
The decision follows mounting political pressure to take stronger action against the Bishnoi network. In August, Conservative MP and shadow public safety minister Frank Caputo had written to Anandasangaree urging the government to classify the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity. Caputo described the group as a “vast criminal empire” implicated in assassinations, extortion of Canadian citizens, and activities motivated by “political, religious, and ideological reasons.”
“The Bishnoi gang’s actions clearly meet the threshold for a terrorist listing,” Caputo said in his letter, later shared on X. “They have taken credit for widespread violence in Canada and abroad.”
Several other Canadian political leaders—including Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, British Columbia Premier David Eby, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke—have also publicly demanded the dismantling of the gang’s operations, citing concerns about community safety and cross-border criminal links.
India-Canada Relations and Diplomatic Undercurrents
The move is being viewed as a significant gesture toward improving strained India-Canada relations, which deteriorated sharply after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of Indian involvement in the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan activist and Canadian citizen.
Though Trudeau’s claims were never substantiated, the episode plunged bilateral ties into a diplomatic standoff that lasted months. Monday’s decision by the Canadian government—coming after a change in leadership—signals a willingness to rebuild cooperation with India, especially on counterterrorism and law enforcement issues.
Bishnoi Gang’s International Footprint
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, one of India’s most notorious organized crime networks, has been linked to a range of violent crimes, including high-profile assassinations and transnational trafficking in arms and narcotics.
The gang’s name gained global notoriety after the 2022 killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, a case that stunned fans and exposed the gang’s reach from India to North America. Since then, the Bishnoi network has been connected to the murders of Rajput leader Sukhdev Gogamedi in December 2023 and Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique in October 2024, as well as an armed attack outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence in April 2025.
The group’s international connections were further underscored by its alleged role in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar in Canada in 2023—a turning point that established its presence in the country’s underworld.
A Step Forward in the Fight Against Global Crime
The Bishnoi gang’s addition to Canada’s list of terrorist entities reflects growing global recognition of the convergence between organized crime and terrorism. Officials say the designation will strengthen coordination with international partners—particularly India—to disrupt the gang’s networks, finances, and safe havens.
As Minister Anandasangaree put it, “This government will not tolerate individuals or organizations that use violence to intimidate or harm Canadians. We will continue to take decisive action against those who threaten our communities and our national security.”
With this unprecedented move, Canada joins India in taking a firm stand against one of South Asia’s most dangerous criminal organizations—sending a clear message that global crime syndicates can no longer operate with impunity on Canadian soil.
