Anmol Bishnoi, the close associate of the Bishnoi crime cartel and blood brother of the infamous gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has been arrested in California by U.S. authorities. This arrest was such a great leap during Indian law enforcement’s fight against gangster networks operating outside the precincts of India.
Anmol Bishnoi is linked with numerous other criminal offenses in India, including extortion, murder, and cross-border smuggling. Lawrence Bishnoi, Anmol’s brother, gained notoriety during the high-profile murder in 2022 of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
Following the Moose Wala incident, Anmol escaped India with the aid of a forged passport, and Indian security forces initiated a manhunt in an attempt to arrest him through international collaboration.
Reports say U.S. authorities detained Anmol after Interpol sent a red-corner notice at the request of Indian agencies. The Punjab Police, with crucial support from central agencies like NIA (National Investigation Agency), had been tracking Anmol’s movements ever since he surfaced in other countries, such as Nepal and Dubai, up to California.
With him now in law enforcement custody, efforts are swinging toward securing Anmol’s extradition back to India. The Indian law enforcement agencies are now in touch with their U.S. counterparts to push the extradition through.
However, legal experts predict that challenges may arise regarding fulfilling procedural requisites, given that some of Anmol’s lawyers will likely contest his extradition, arguing possible grounds for persecution or lack of guarantees for fair trial in India.
The Mumbai and Punjab Police have ramped up efforts, using diplomatic channels to ensure a speedy handover. An Indian team would also fly to the U.S., where they would present the evidence and ask for Anmol’s return to face trial for his alleged crimes.
Indian officials believe that this arrest is the most crucial step toward dismantling the Bishnoi crime network, which has crossed borders in its operations in recent times.
The Bishnoi Crime Network
The Bishnoi gang has become one of the most feared criminal syndicates in North India for its extensive illegal arms trade, drug smuggling, and extortion connected with organized crime.
The arrest of Anmol Bishnoi is anticipated to be a turning point in the fight against organized crime networks with international connections. With both Lawrence and Anmol now detained, Indian authorities believe they can fetch great information to dismantle the gang and catch other vital operatives.
While the arrest would be a great gain for law enforcement, experts say it will take sustained international cooperation to dismantle the Bishnoi gang’s deeply entrenched and extensive network. Moreover, this high-profile case will likely attract extensive media coverage and public scrutiny as the extradition process unfolds.
