NIA Extends Custody of Anmol Bishnoi: Key Figure in International Terror-Crime Syndicate

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has extended the custody of Anmol Bishnoi, an international gangster and brother of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, for an additional seven days.

Due to security concerns, the NIA judge conducted the hearing at the NIA Headquarters instead of the regular courtroom, citing potential threats to Anmol Bishnoi. His custody will now continue until December 5.

Previously, on November 19, a special court had placed Anmol Bishnoi under NIA custody for 11 days.

NIA officials describe Anmol as a crucial figure in the BKI-Bishnoi gangster syndicate, where he actively managed operational activities. Investigators are particularly focused on his alleged Khalistani connections and his involvement in broader criminal networks.

NIA counsel Rahul Tyagi presented the government's case in court.

The defense team contended that the NIA already possessed all necessary evidence related to the accused and argued that further custodial interrogation was unnecessary. They claimed the case lacked direct evidence and emphasized that the accused was willing to cooperate with investigators, requesting that the custody extension be denied. However, the court rejected these arguments and granted the extension.

Anmol Bishnoi, who had been living in the United States, was brought back to India and arrested upon arrival on November 19, the same day he appeared in court. He had been evading authorities since 2022 and is the 19th suspect arrested in connection with the terror syndicate allegedly headed by Lawrence Bishnoi.

According to the NIA, Anmol was charged in March 2023 after investigations revealed his critical role in supporting designated terrorist Goldy Brar and his associates in executing terrorist acts in India between 2020 and 2023.

The agency stated that while operating from the United States, Anmol coordinated with gang members, arranged logistics, provided shelter to shooters, and supervised extortion operations targeting prominent individuals in India.

The NIA continues to investigate the broader connections between terrorists, gangsters, and arms traffickers, including their operational networks and funding sources.

Anmol Bishnoi faces multiple criminal charges, including conspiracy in the murder of former Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique, who was fatally shot in Mumbai in October last year.

He is also being investigated for the shooting incident outside actor Salman Khan's Bandra residence in April last year, as well as his alleged involvement in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, one of the most high-profile crimes attributed to the Bishnoi-Brar syndicate.

In November 2024, authorities arrested Bishnoi in California, USA, for entering the country using fraudulent documentation.