(Image source from: Financialexpress.com)
Mob leader Lawrence Bishnoi and his group, tied to murder, extortion, and the trade of weapons and drugs both in India and internationally, has been labeled a 'terrorist organization' by Canada under its Criminal Code, stated Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree on Monday evening. This designation allows Canadian authorities to freeze or seize any assets belonging to the Bishnoi gang in Canada, such as cash, vehicles, and real estate. This provides law enforcement with stronger powers to take legal action against gang members for various crimes, especially those linked to terrorist funding. Additionally, immigration officials can refuse entry to suspected gang members trying to come into Canada. "Violent and terroristic actions will not be tolerated in Canada, particularly those aimed at specific groups to instill fear and intimidate," said a government statement.
According to Canadian law, it is now illegal for citizens and individuals abroad to knowingly handle property owned or managed by the Bishnoi gang. It is also against the law to directly or indirectly supply property if one knows it will be used by or will benefit the gang. This announcement marks another move towards mending relations between India and Canada after a significant diplomatic conflict during Justin Trudeau's last months in office. This decision comes one month after Canadian MP Frank Caputo prompted Anandasangaree to label Bishnoi as a 'terrorist'. Caputo, who is a shadow Public Safety Minister, wrote to Anandasangaree to emphasize Bishnoi's extensive criminal organization, accusing it of murders and extorting Canadian citizens, engaging in illegal activities for "political, religious, and ideological motivations." "The actions of the Bishnoi gang support the case for designating it as a terrorist group. They have claimed responsibility for extensive violence, both in Canada and elsewhere," he remarked in a letter shared on X.
He also referenced support from four other Canadian politicians, including Patrick Brown, the Mayor of Brampton, where around 20 percent of Canada’s Sikh community resides. British Columbia Premier David Eby, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke have also called for action against the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The Canadian government has frequently recognized the Bishnoi gang as one of the most dangerous criminal groups in the country, connecting it to the trafficking of firearms and narcotics. Lawrence Bishnoi, who split from Goldy Brar, a colleague who managed his operations in Canada, in June, and his group of criminals and killers have been associated with multiple murders since the widely reported assassination of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala in May 2022.
The list encompasses the December 2023 assassination of Rajput leader Sukhdev Gogamedi, the October 2024 murder of Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique, and the shooting incident at Bollywood celebrity Salman Khan's residence in April 2025, due to the 1999 blackbuck case. Nevertheless, the June 2023 assassination of Hardeep Nijjar, a supporter of Khalistan, solidified the group's global 'reputation'. Nijjar, who held Canadian citizenship, was murdered, sparking a diplomatic crisis; Trudeau alleged, without providing evidence, that the Indian government had a hand in it. India rejected the accusations and rebuked Trudeau for accommodating Khalistani terrorist voting blocs. As a consequence, relations between India and Canada deteriorated sharply. Since Mark Carney replaced Trudeau, relations have gradually improved. Ottawa appointed a new diplomat to Delhi on August 1, marking the first such move since senior officials from both nations were withdrawn following the dispute with Trudeau.
