Dark tale of 'fair’ Lawrence Bishnoi, why is the gangster at centre of India-Canada diplomatic row

Within hours of being named in the Baba Siddique murder case and attempts to expand base in the Mumbai underworld, Punjab’s category-A gangster Lawrence Bishnoi now figures as a top killer at international level with the Canadian police claiming he was connected to the murder of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June 2023.

This is a sad turn of fate for a youth whose mother Sunita Bishnoi from Dutranwali in Abohar had big dreams for her. Due to Lawrence’s white skin like the Europeans, she had named him after educationist and administrator Henry Lawrence, member of the first board of administration of Punjab when the British annexed it in 1849. Lawrence’s family owned about 110 acres of land in their village and the parents dreamt of sending him to the famous Lawrence School in Sanawar, set up by Henry Lawrence in 1847.

Less than 15 years ago, he was taking baby steps in student politics in DAV College and later Panjab University, Chandigarh. Now, he is being touted as the biggest gangster in India, where his network spreads to Pakistan, Canada, the US and other countries. His journey in crime started from a fight with a rival student group. Lawrence is said to have set the rival leader’s car on fire for which he was arrested and sent to Burail jail, Chandigarh. He was already under the influence of student leader-turned-gangster-turned Akali politician Vicky Middukhera. In jail, he met several others and there was no looking back from the world of crime.

In a media statement released in Canada late on Monday, Brigitte Gauvin, Assistant Commissioner, Federal Policing, National Security, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, alleged that the Lawrence-Goldy Brar gang was connected to the ‘agents of the government of India’.

“It (India) is targeting South Asian community but they are specifically targeting pro-Khalistani elements in Canada... What we have seen is, from an RCMP perspective, they use organised crime elements. It has been publicly attributed and claimed by one organised crime group in particular — Bishnoi group... We believe that the group is connected to agents of the Government of India," said the statement.

The Indian Government has denied this strongly, calling it a "preposterous imputation". The Nijjar killing (June 18, 2023) is central to the huge diplomatic row between India and Canada, leading to the expulsion and withdrawal of six diplomats each.

Lawrence is a prime accused in the Sidhu Moosewala killing case as well. He is currently lodged in Sabarmati jail in Gujarat. His close associate Goldy Brar is said to be hiding in Canada or the US.

The gangster has remained in the news for his well-oiled criminal network and influence. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of a crime syndicate in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh. As per a Punjab Police dossier, he has connection with Pakistan-based gangster Harwinder Rinda, who is said to have supplied weapons to him for the killing of Sidhu Moosewala.