Jailed Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi allegedly cultivated a public image as a deeply religious “patriot” to recruit members and associates into his criminal network, the FBI has said, shedding new light on the alleged operations of his syndicate across several countries.
The revelations came as the US authorities added Satinderjeet Singh, alias Goldy Brar, to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and announced a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to his arrest.
According to US investigators, Bishnoi and Brar were once college friends and close associates before reportedly falling out over family and operational disputes. Despite the alleged rift, Brar has been described by US authorities as one of Bishnoi’s most trusted former lieutenants and a key figure in the network’s international operations.
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The FBI describes Bishnoi, 33, a native of Punjab, as a former self-styled university student leader who allegedly moved from student politics into organised crime. Investigators allege that he used his religious and patriotic image to attract recruits in India, the United States and other countries.
Bishnoi is currently lodged in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Central Jail and faces multiple criminal cases involving allegations of extortion, murder and organised crime.
The FBI alleges that he continued directing criminal activities from prison through contraband mobile phones and internet-enabled communication devices allegedly smuggled into his cell.
US prosecutors have described the organisation as a transnational criminal enterprise that allegedly relied on violence, intimidation and extortion, particularly targeting members of Indian and Indo-Canadian communities.
The gang allegedly reinforced its reputation through videos and social media posts showcasing violence and criminal activity, according to investigators.
The FBI also alleges that Bishnoi delegated operational responsibilities to trusted associates, including Brar, who prosecutors say acted as his representative and helped coordinate gang members and associates across several countries.
Among the allegations detailed in the US indictment is the June 18, 2023, killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia. Court documents identify Nijjar as “HSN” and allege that Bishnoi and Brar ordered the assassination, with two gunmen allegedly shooting Nijjar as he left a Sikh gurdwara.
The indictment also alleges that members of the Bishnoi enterprise stole about 520 kg of cocaine from rival drug-trafficking organisations in the greater Los Angeles area between March 2024 and July 2025.
The allegations emerged as part of a wider US crackdown on transnational organised crime. On July 7, the US Attorney’s Office announced the results of Operation Hardball and unsealed three indictments charging 37 defendants allegedly linked to three India-based transnational criminal organisations.
Brar is wanted in the US on federal charges including racketeering conspiracy, extortion conspiracy and narcotics trafficking conspiracy. US authorities have described him as armed and dangerous and as a central figure in the alleged North American operations of the Bishnoi network.
The Canadian government designated the Bishnoi enterprise as a terrorist entity in September 2025, according to the FBI.
