In a brazen act of defiance, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has reportedly struck again, this time with gunfire at comedian Kapil Sharma’s cafe, Kap’s Cafe, in Surrey, Canada. This incident occurred just weeks after Canada officially listed the Bishnoi gang as a terror entity, underscoring the group’s apparent disregard for the designation.
Gurpreet Singh, also known as Goldy Dhillon, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Dhillon, who is on India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) most-wanted list with a ₹10 lakh reward on his head, had previously claimed responsibility for an earlier attack on the same establishment.
The gang cites Kapil Sharma’s perceived closeness to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan as the motive for the attacks. Lawrence Bishnoi holds a long-standing grievance against Khan, stemming from allegations related to the killing of a blackbuck, an animal revered by the Bishnoi community, which traditionally follows an animal-loving ethos. However, Indian probe agencies believe the attacks are primarily linked to extortion attempts.
Lawrence Bishnoi has been incarcerated for several years and is currently held at Sabarmati Prison in Gujarat.
Canada’s Terror Listing Follows Escalating Concerns
The Canadian government designated the Bishnoi gang as a ‘terror entity’ on September 29. This move by the Liberal government in Ottawa came amidst growing concerns about the gang’s activities, particularly its alleged targeting of specific communities, including the diaspora within Canada.
This designation followed months of reports suggesting the Bishnoi gang’s involvement in targeting pro-Khalistan elements and Sikh Canadian citizens within Canada. While the Indian government has refuted allegations that it indirectly supports the gang in targeting anti-India Sikh extremists, Canada’s assertions on this matter had previously strained bilateral relations.
The situation escalated following the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. The then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian intelligence was involved, leading to a diplomatic rift. India, in turn, highlighted its pending extradition requests for Bishnoi gang members operating in Canada.
Following these diplomatic tensions, Canadian and Indian foreign ministers have engaged in dialogue aimed at rebuilding ties.
Bishnoi Gang’s Operations and Key Members
Lawrence Bishnoi, a former student leader from Chandigarh and Punjab, leads a gang implicated in major criminal cases in India, including the killings of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and Mumbai politician Baba Siddiqui. Bishnoi himself has been associated with Sikh separatist ideology in the past but has more recently presented himself as a Hindu right-winger.
He has served time in Tihar Jail in Delhi and various prisons in Punjab for multiple offenses. Prominent members of his gang still at large include his brother Anmol Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, and Rohit Godara, although reports suggest the latter two may have distanced themselves from the group.
Impact of Terror Listing
Canada’s designation places the Bishnoi Gang among 88 other entities listed as terrorist organizations under the Criminal Code. This listing empowers Canadian law enforcement with enhanced tools to combat the gang’s activities. Assets owned by the group within Canada, including property, vehicles, and funds, can be frozen or seized. Additionally, the designation can influence immigration and border control decisions regarding individuals associated with the group.