Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother detained in US

Anmol Bishnoi faces charges including the murder of Baba Siddique and links to the Sidhu Moosewala killing.

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Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has been detained in California, United States, following weeks of legal proceedings initiated by the Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch, seeking his extradition to India.

The arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to capture key members of the Bishnoi criminal syndicate, which has been involved in a series of high-profile crimes across India.

Anmol Bishnoi, who had been on the run for over two years, was apprehended last week by US authorities. His detention comes after the Mumbai Police issued a non-bailable warrant for his arrest.

According to intelligence sources, the US Immigration Department discovered that Bishnoi had been using forged documents to travel. He allegedly fled to the US in May 2022, under the alias "Bhanu," after using a fake passport and reference letter to enter the country.

The arrest was the result of collaborative efforts between Indian and US authorities. The FBI held a meeting with Indian agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Mumbai Police, to discuss the status of the case and the potential extradition process.

According to Indian media officials from the FBI met with Indian representatives to review evidence against Anmol Bishnoi and determine the next steps regarding his deportation. However, the US State Department has declined to comment on the matter, citing jurisdictional issues with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Anmol Bishnoi is a key figure in the Bishnoi criminal empire, which has been linked to numerous violent crimes, extortion, and arms smuggling. He has been implicated in at least 18 criminal cases, including murders, shootings, and violent attacks.

His most notorious crimes include his involvement in the murder of Punjabi singer-turned-politician Sidhu Moosewala, who was shot dead in May 2022. Reports suggest that Anmol provided logistical support and weapons to the gunmen who killed Sidhu Moosewala in Punjab's Mansa district.

In addition to his role in the Sidhu Moosewala murder, Anmol Bishnoi is also accused of orchestrating a shooting incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai in April 2022. According to the chargesheet filed by the NIA, Anmol delivered a motivational speech to the shooters, urging them to carry out the attack and make "history."

He is also allegedly involved in the recent murder of former Maharashtra legislator Baba Siddique, who was shot dead outside his residence in Mumbai earlier this year. Investigators have claimed that Anmol was in contact with the assailants involved in Siddique’s killing.

In 2021, Anmol was briefly imprisoned in Jodhpur jail but was released on bail in October 2021. After his release, he reportedly kept changing his locations, with reports citing that he was seen at a wedding in California last year.

The detention of Anmol Bishnoi is part of ongoing international efforts to bring him and other members of the Bishnoi gang to justice. Indian authorities, including the NIA, are working closely with their US counterparts to ensure that Bishnoi faces charges in India.

If the extradition request is approved, Anmol will be handed over to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, which is leading the investigation into his role in multiple violent incidents.

The Bishnoi gang’s criminal network is believed to have connections in several countries, and the group is linked to the growing threat posed by transnational gangs involved in organised crime, terrorism, and drug trafficking.