US Indictment Accuses Lawrence Bishnoi Gang in Nijjar Murder
The United States Department of Justice has unsealed indictments charging Lawrence Bishnoi, the imprisoned leader of the Bishnoi gang, and several associates with ordering the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh separatist, in Canada's British Columbia in 2023.
The indictments, announced as part of a cross-border crackdown on organised crime, charge a total of 37 individuals with offences including extortion, drug trafficking, kidnapping, and shootings. Among those charged are members of three major criminal gangs, with the Bishnoi gang specifically implicated in Nijjar's murder.
Authorities said three defendants have been arrested in Canada, while 11 others remain fugitives across the United States, India, and Europe. The US Department of Justice described the operation as a significant step against transnational organised crime networks.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a leader of the Khalistan movement, which advocates for a separate Sikh state in India. His killing in June 2023 had strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging Indian involvement—a claim India has denied.
The indictment does not directly implicate the Indian government, focusing instead on the Bishnoi gang's alleged role. Lawrence Bishnoi, currently imprisoned in India, has been linked to several high-profile crimes in the past. The US charges could lead to extradition requests and further legal proceedings.
