Centre, state govt protecting Lawrence Bishnoi: Bajwa
Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa on Thursday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government and the BJP-led Union Government of providing protection to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
He said this was creating unease among the people of Punjab, who were unnerved by the inaction against the gangster involved in a series of grave crimes.
In a statement, Bajwa said, “Lawrence Bishnoi has been implicated in the killings of public figures such as Sidhu Moosewala, and more recently, NCP leader Baba Siddique. Despite these heinous crimes, there seem to be a shield around him. Why do both AAP and BJP governments appear to be sheltering a figure so deeply enmeshed in criminal networks?” he said.
The Congress veteran mentioned Punjab Police’s recent report submitted to a Mohali court that controversially recommended the cancellation of an FIR against Bishnoi in relation to a televised interview. The report, while clearing Bishnoi of extortion charges, downplayed his criminal intimidation as a non-cognisable offence.
“Is this the kind of governance AAP had promised? A state where a notorious gangster can broadcast interviews and still evade justice?” Bajwa said.
Bajwa questioned the role of the Union Government in allowing Bishnoi to maintain his criminal empire. Highlighting the gangster’s continued influence from the Sabarmati Jail, Bajwa said, despite the Home Ministry’s extension of restrictions on Bishnoi’s movement till August 2025, it was evident that he continued to command his network from behind bars.
“How is this possible? Who is protecting him? On whose orders is he operating?” he said.
Bajwa appealed to PM Modi and Home Minister Shah to provide transparent and clear answers to the people of Punjab and the nation. “No political manoeuvring will stop us from exposing the truth. The people deserve to know why a gangster, who has terrorised so many, continues to operate with apparent impunity,” he said.
