FBI Charges Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar in Nijjar Murder; 37 Members of Three Indian Crime Syndicates Named
Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang are also charged for contract killings, drug trafficking, kidnappings, extortion and illegal firearms
LOS ANGLES: In one of the biggest crackdowns on transnational organized crime involving the Indian diaspora, the United States Department of Justice has unsealed three federal indictments charging 37 alleged members and associates of three India-based criminal syndicates, including gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his close aide Goldy Brar, with racketeering, murder, drug trafficking, extortion and other serious offences spanning multiple countries.
As part of Operation Hard Ball, law enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada, Spain and other countries arrested 24 accused, while authorities are searching for 10 fugitives. Investigators also seized nearly 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, cash and firearms during coordinated raids.
The indictments allege that the Bishnoi syndicate was responsible for the June 18, 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the prominent Sikh political and religious leader who was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. Court documents identify the victim only by the initials "H.S.N."
According to the indictment, Lawrence Bishnoi, 33, currently imprisoned in India, and his alleged North American lieutenant Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, ordered Nijjar's assassination. The indictment states that two gunmen shot Nijjar as he left the Sikh temple and that the killing formed part of the gang's strategy of targeting influential political, religious and social figures to spread fear and strengthen its extortion network.
Besides Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, the indictment names Rohit Godara, alleged to be the gang's European leader, and Sukhraj Singh Kang among its senior operatives.
The charges add a significant legal dimension to the Nijjar murder, which had already triggered a major diplomatic dispute between India and Canada after the Canadian government alleged the involvement of Indian agents in the killing.
FBI alleges global crime network
Federal prosecutors describe the Bishnoi organisation as a sophisticated transnational criminal enterprise operating across India, Canada, the United States and Europe. Despite being lodged in an Indian prison, Bishnoi allegedly directed criminal operations using smuggled mobile phones and internet-based communication devices.
US prosecutors allege the Bhagwanpuria network operated across India, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, with more than 1,000 members worldwide.
Besides Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, the indictment names Rohit Godara, alleged to be the gang's European leader, and Sukhraj Singh Kang among its senior operatives.
The FBI alleges that the gang engaged in political assassinations, murders, shootings, kidnappings, extortion, narcotics trafficking and human smuggling. Prosecutors claim the organisation cultivated fear within Indian diaspora communities through violent attacks and social media campaigns glorifying its activities.
The indictment also refers to a shooting at the Vancouver residence of a prominent Indian actor and singer in November 2023, allegedly claimed by Bishnoi through a Facebook post warning that "no one can save you from us."
Extortion and drug trafficking
According to prosecutors, members of the Bishnoi syndicate used encrypted messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, to threaten businessmen and community members in North America.
The indictment alleges attempts to extort millions of dollars from victims, including demands for a $5 million payment from a California resident during late 2025 and early 2026.
Third Indictment
A third indictment targets an alleged Canada-based narcotics trafficking network headed by Ravinder Singh Dhanda, accusing it of smuggling hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine from Southern California into Canada using long-haul trucks, including farm vehicles.
Investigators further allege that the gang financed its operations through international drug trafficking. Among the incidents cited is the seizure of 49 kilograms of cocaine destined for Canada in November 2024 and the theft of approximately 520 kilograms of cocaine from rival trafficking organisations in the Los Angeles region between 2024 and 2025.
Rival Punjab gang also charged
A separate federal indictment charges Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, another jailed Punjab gangster, and 16 associates with running an international criminal enterprise involved in contract killings, drug trafficking, kidnappings, extortion and illegal firearms dealing.
US prosecutors allege the Bhagwanpuria network operated across India, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, with more than 1,000 members worldwide.
The indictment also alleges that members of the organisation worked with corrupt officials in Punjab to falsely implicate rivals in criminal cases and facilitate extortion.
Drug smuggling network
A third indictment targets an alleged Canada-based narcotics trafficking network headed by Ravinder Singh Dhanda, accusing it of smuggling hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine from Southern California into Canada using long-haul trucks, including farm vehicles.
Prosecutors allege that more than 430 kilograms of cocaine were transported through the network between July 2023 and November 2024.
Massive international operation
US authorities said 11 suspects were arrested in California, while others were arrested in Indiana, Georgia, Canada and Spain. Seven accused were already in custody before the coordinated operation.
Officials from the FBI, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Los Angeles Police Department and several other American and international agencies participated in the investigation.
"The coordinated operation strikes at the heart of three brutal transnational organisations that have terrorised families, exploited communities and stolen lives through ruthless acts of violence," the FBI said.
The indictments remain allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. If convicted, many of those charged could face prison terms ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment under US federal law.
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