Canada Designates Lawrence Bishnoi Gang as Terrorist Entity: Implications for India-Canada Relations

New Delhi:

Lawrence Bishnoi and his criminal organization - associated with murders, extortion, and illegal arms and narcotics trafficking both within India and internationally - has been officially designated as a 'terrorist entity' under Canada's Criminal Code, announced Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree on Monday evening.

This designation enables Canadian authorities to freeze or confiscate any assets belonging to the Bishnoi gang, including money, vehicles, and real estate, providing law enforcement with enhanced capabilities to prosecute gang members for various crimes, particularly those related to terrorism financing.

Additionally, the designation allows immigration officials to deny entry to suspected members of the gang into Canada.

"Acts of violence and terror have no place in Canada, especially those that target specific communities to create a climate of fear and intimidation," stated a government release.

Under Canadian legislation, it is now a criminal offense for Canadian citizens, both domestically and abroad, to knowingly engage with property owned or controlled by the Bishnoi gang. It is also illegal to directly or indirectly provide resources knowing they will benefit or be utilized by the gang.

This notification - representing progress in mending India-Canada diplomatic relations following a serious diplomatic conflict during Justin Trudeau's final months as prime minister - comes four weeks after Canadian MP Frank Caputo urged Anandasangaree to designate Bishnoi's organization as a terrorist group.

Caputo, who serves as shadow Public Safety Minister, wrote to Anandasangaree highlighting Bishnoi's extensive criminal network, noting its involvement in assassinations and extortion of Canadian citizens, activities conducted for "political, religious, and ideological reasons."

"The Bishnoi gang's activities lay the groundwork for listing it as a terrorist entity. As you know, they have taken credit for vast violence in Canada and abroad," Caputo stated in his letter shared on X.

He also referenced appeals from four additional Canadian politicians, including Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, home to approximately 20 percent of Canada's Sikh population.

READ | 'Bishnoi Gang Must Be Called 'Terrorist Group'': Canada MP's Demand

British Columbia Premier David Eby, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke have also advocated for taking action against the Lawrence Bishnoi organization.

The Canadian government has consistently identified the Bishnoi gang as one of the more dangerous criminal syndicates operating in the country, connecting it to weapons and drug trafficking operations.

Lawrence Bishnoi - who parted ways with associate Goldy Brar, his Canadian operations manager, in June - and his network have been implicated in numerous murders since the high-profile killing of Punjabi artist Sidhu Moose Wala in May 2022.

This list includes the December 2023 assassination of Rajput leader Sukhdev Gogamedi and the October 2024 murder of Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique, as well as a shooting incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence - targeted in connection with the 1999 blackbuck case - in April 2025.

READ | Trudeau Doubles Down On Charges Amid India-Canada Diplomatic Row

However, it was the killing of Hardeep Nijjar, a pro-Khalistani figure, in June 2023 that established the gang's international profile. Nijjar was a Canadian citizen, and his death ignited a diplomatic controversy; Trudeau had alleged - without providing evidence - that the Indian government was involved.

READ | "Bishnoi Gang Linked To Indian Government Agents": Canada Cops' Claim

India rejected these allegations and accused Trudeau of catering to Khalistani terrorist constituencies.

READ | "As We Said, No Evidence...": India On Justin Trudeau's Deposition

India-Canada diplomatic relations deteriorated significantly as a result. However, since Trudeau's departure and Mark Carney's appointment as his successor, relations have been gradually improving.

On August 1, Ottawa made a new diplomatic appointment to Delhi, the first since high-ranking officials from both nations were withdrawn following the dispute with Trudeau.

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