News|CrimeCanada labels India’s Bishnoi gang as ‘terrorist’ organisationThe move will enable asset seizures and prosecutions of Bishnoi gang, which has been accused of targeting Sikh activists abroad.
Canada has officially designated India's Bishnoi gang as a "terrorist" organization. This classification empowers authorities to freeze assets, block funding, and prosecute members under anti-terrorism laws.
Canada has officially designated India's Bishnoi gang as a "terrorist" organization. This classification empowers authorities to freeze assets, block funding, and prosecute members under anti-terrorism laws.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced the designation on Monday, emphasizing that the gang has instilled fear within Indian diaspora communities across Canada. According to Anandasangaree, certain communities have been specifically targeted by the Bishnoi Gang for terror, violence, and intimidation. This listing equips law enforcement with more effective tools to address and prevent these criminal activities.
The Canadian government reiterated that acts of violence and terror have no place in Canada, especially those targeting specific communities to foster fear and intimidation. The Bishnoi gang, led by the incarcerated Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, is recognized by Canadian officials as a transnational criminal syndicate operating primarily from India but also present in Canada.
Bishnoi, aged 32, has been imprisoned in India for a decade but is alleged to direct a network of hundreds involved in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, extortion, and targeted killings.
This classification empowers authorities to freeze assets, block funding, and prosecute members under anti-terrorism laws.
Canadian police have previously indicated that Indian intelligence services utilized Bishnoi associates for violent acts against supporters of the Khalistan movement, which advocates for an independent Sikh state in Punjab, India, abroad. India has dismissed such claims, criticizing Ottawa for not providing evidence and for disregarding extradition requests for suspects linked to Bishnoi.
The "terrorist" listing by the Canadian government allows for the seizure of property and funds associated with the gang, while enhancing law enforcement's capacity to disrupt recruitment, financing, and international travel related to the gang's operations.
Political pressure is escalating on Ottawa, with opposition leaders and provincial premiers in Alberta and British Columbia calling for stronger measures against the gang. Canada hosts over 770,000 Sikhs, constituting about 2% of the national population.
The notoriety of the Bishnoi gang has increased amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi. The assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar near a Vancouver-area gurdwara in June 2023 highlighted these issues further. Canada has accused Indian officials of directing intelligence to "criminal organizations like the Lawrence Bishnoi gang" to silence critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government abroad, an allegation refuted by India.
New Delhi maintains that Ottawa has overlooked more than two dozen extradition requests for Bishnoi members and continues to protect individuals wanted for crimes in India. Despite these tensions, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s national security adviser, Nathalie Drouin, reported that Indian officials have pledged cooperation in ongoing investigations and agreed to avoid cross-border repression.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
