US DOJ indicts 37 linked to Lawrence Bishnoi gang over Nijjar assassination plot

A years-long U.S. investigation culminated in charges against 37 people linked to alleged transnational crime syndicates. Here’s how the FBI pieced together the case.

Updated - July 12, 2026 04:27 am IST

Vijaita Singh

The story so far: On July 8, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) announced indictments against three Punjab-linked transnational organised crime syndicates operating across India, Canada, the United States and Europe. Among the most significant allegations is that Lawrence Bishnoi (33), a Punjab-born gangster currently lodged in a high-security prison in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and his associate Satinderjeet Singh, alias Goldy Brar, ordered the June 2023 assassination of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Nijjar had been designated as a terrorist by India.

The investigation has also led to multiple arrests, major drug seizures and indictments alleging extortion, racketeering, murders-for-hire and drug trafficking. The DoJ said 37 people have been charged so far. It stated that 24 defendants, connected to the three India-based transnational organised crime groups charged with a litany of criminal acts, have been arrested in the U.S., Canada and Spain. Law enforcement is searching for 10 fugitives — seven in the U.S., two in India and one in Europe.

Which are the three groups indicted by the U.S. DoJ?

1. The Lawrence Bishnoi Organised Crime Group (OCG)

• Described by prosecutors as a transnational criminal enterprise headquartered in India but operating extensively in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia.
• Founded and led by Lawrence Bishnoi, the group continued to function even while he was incarcerated.
• Goldy Brar allegedly managed North American operations, while Rohit Godara oversaw activities in Europe.

2. The Jaggu Bhagwanpuria group

• Led by gangster Jagtar Singh, alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, currently imprisoned at Silchar jail in Assam.
• Described by U.S. authorities as a separate transnational crime syndicate with a significant presence in India, Canada, the United States and other countries.
• According to prosecutors, the network has more than 1,000 members and associates worldwide.
• The group emerged as a rival to the Bishnoi organisation but allegedly developed its own international criminal infrastructure.

3. The Ravinder Singh Dhanda network

• Associated with a Canada-based accused who is alleged to be running a large cross-border narcotics operation.
• The organisation’s primary focus is large-scale movement of drugs between countries, particularly the U.S. and Canada.

What exactly is the Bishnoi group’s role?

The DoJ accused the Bishnoi network of targeted killings, shootings, kidnappings, assaults and public threats to create a climate of fear among businessmen, celebrities and members of the Indian diaspora. The objective, according to investigators, was to facilitate extortion and enhance the gang’s reputation. The indictment also alleges that the group was involved in transporting cocaine and methamphetamine across North America and stealing narcotics shipments from rival trafficking organisations.

How did the Federal Bureau of Investigation unravel the Bishnoi gang?

According to the indictment, Sukhraj Singh Kang, a senior India-based lieutenant in the Lawrence Bishnoi OCG, directed and coordinated acts of violence committed by members and associates in the United States. The FBI’s investigation relied heavily on undercover agents and informants to build the case against the syndicate.