Anmol Bishnoi, the fugitive brother of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, was detained in California on Monday, weeks after the Mumbai Police Crime Branch initiated his extradition process. Anmol, a key member of the Bishnoi criminal network, is wanted in India for several high-profile crimes, including the murders of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in 2022 and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique in October 2024. He is also implicated in the shooting incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence.
Anmol, who fled India in 2023 using a fake passport, was initially believed to have sought refuge in Canada. However, he was apprehended in the U.S. where authorities have detained him. After interrogation, U.S. authorities are expected to hand him over to Canadian authorities for his alleged role in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, after which he may be extradited to India.
His criminal record includes 18 other cases, and he is also linked to two investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). In response to his evasion of arrest, the NIA had recently announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to his capture.
Anmol’s arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to dismantle the Bishnoi criminal empire, with his elder brother Lawrence currently jailed in Gujarat on charges of drug trafficking and organized violence.
