Lawrence Bishnoi is a popular and notorious gangster of India, whose name is associated with various major crimes. The 31-year-old hails from Punjab, but his influence has spread across states of India and internationally.

Bishnoi is currently lodged in a jail in Gujarat, but his influence in the criminal world has not diminished. In 2022, his name came up in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Musewala.

He is also accused of threatening Bollywood superstar Salman Khan for blackbuck hunting.

Lawrence Bishnoi's entry into the world of crime was from his student days. While studying at a college in Chandigarh, he entered student politics, where he became involved in violence. His rise in the criminal world began after he became known for crimes such as fights and shootings in college.

Bishnoi's gangs are involved in crimes like drug and arms smuggling, extortion and murders in various states of India. His gang has around 700 members, active in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi. According to the police, Bishnoi's associate Goldie Brar, who lives in Canada, is running the gang remotely.

Canadian police have also recently claimed that the Indian government is using Bishnoi gangs to target Khalistani leaders.

However, the Indian government has denied this allegation.

There are more than 30 cases against Lawrence Bishnoi, 19 of which are currently pending. However, his criminal activities have not stopped, police believe that he is running his gang from prison without interruption.

This gangster's influence is evident not only in crime but also in social media. For many youngsters, she has become a symbol of criminal lifestyle and glamour, a distorted reflection of Punjab's feudal culture.

The story of Bishnoi's beginnings in criminal life and his rise to influence reveals a dark side of India's criminal underworld, which remains a major challenge for the police and the government.

Source: BBC