Moosewala murder, Salman Khan threats cited in US indictment against Bishnoi Gang
A US federal indictment alleges the Lawrence Bishnoi gang used claims around Sidhu Moose Wala's murder and repeated threats to Salman Khan to project fear. Prosecutors say the publicity helped expand an alleged transnational extortion network, though the charges remain unproven in court.
US federal prosecutors have alleged that the Bishnoi Organised Crime Group (OCG) used public claims over the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala and repeated threats against Bollywood actor Salman Khan to build its criminal reputation, spread fear and facilitate extortion, according to a sweeping federal indictment unsealed as part of an FBI-led international crackdown on transnational organised crime.
US INDICTMENT ALLEGES MOOSE WALA MURDER CLAIM WAS USED TO BUILD FEAR
According to the indictment, members of the Bishnoi OCG claimed responsibility for ordering and directing the murder of Sidhu Moose Wala through a media interview and a Facebook post after the singer was shot dead in Punjab on May 29, 2022. US prosecutors allege the gang deliberately publicised the claims to promote the criminal enterprise, create fear among the public and strengthen its extortion network.
The indictment also alleges that between 2022 and 2026, jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi repeatedly announced his intention to kill Bollywood actor Salman Khan. Prosecutors claim the repeated threats were intended to reinforce the gang's violent image, intimidate victims and further its criminal objectives.
DOJ ALLEGES GLOBAL CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE
The US Department of Justice alleges the Bishnoi OCG operated a transnational organised crime syndicate involved in murder-for-hire, extortion-for-hire and other violent crimes across India, the United States, Canada and several other countries.
According to the indictment, the gang allegedly identified wealthy and influential victims, including prominent cultural, political and business figures, by using government databases, social media platforms and physical surveillance before carrying out extortion and violent attacks.
US CHARGES LAWRENCE BISHNOI, GOLDY BRAR
The allegations form part of "Operation Hard Ball", an FBI-led investigation that targeted three organised crime groups with links to India. The DOJ said 37 defendants have been charged in three separate federal indictments, with 24 arrests made across the United States, Canada and Europe after more than 50 coordinated search warrants. Ten accused remain fugitives.
One of the indictments names Lawrence Bishnoi and his close aide Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, accusing them of directing a global criminal enterprise from abroad and from prison. Prosecutors allege Bishnoi used contraband mobile phones and internet-based communication devices to oversee murders, extortion, kidnappings, drug trafficking, human smuggling and other organised criminal activities across multiple countries.
NIJJAR ASSASSINATION AMONG KEY ALLEGATIONS
The indictment also alleges that Bishnoi and Goldy Brar ordered the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.
Prosecutors identify Goldy Brar as the gang's alleged North American leader and Rohit Godara as the alleged coordinator of its European operations. The DOJ further alleges the organisation financed its activities through international cocaine trafficking, extortion and theft of cocaine shipments from rival criminal groups.
According to investigators, gang members used encrypted messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, to issue extortion threats demanding millions of dollars while warning victims of violence against them and their families. Prosecutors also allege the syndicate relied on social media to amplify its reputation for violence and intimidate targets, particularly within Indian diaspora communities.
The allegations contained in the federal indictment are accusations by US prosecutors and have not been proven in court.
US federal prosecutors have alleged that the Bishnoi Organised Crime Group (OCG) used public claims over the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala and repeated threats against Bollywood actor Salman Khan to build its criminal reputation, spread fear and facilitate extortion, according to a sweeping federal indictment unsealed as part of an FBI-led international crackdown on transnational organised crime.
US INDICTMENT ALLEGES MOOSE WALA MURDER CLAIM WAS USED TO BUILD FEAR
According to the indictment, members of the Bishnoi OCG claimed responsibility for ordering and directing the murder of Sidhu Moose Wala through a media interview and a Facebook post after the singer was shot dead in Punjab on May 29, 2022. US prosecutors allege the gang deliberately publicised the claims to promote the criminal enterprise, create fear among the public and strengthen its extortion network.
The indictment also alleges that between 2022 and 2026, jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi repeatedly announced his intention to kill Bollywood actor Salman Khan. Prosecutors claim the repeated threats were intended to reinforce the gang's violent image, intimidate victims and further its criminal objectives.
DOJ ALLEGES GLOBAL CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE
The US Department of Justice alleges the Bishnoi OCG operated a transnational organised crime syndicate involved in murder-for-hire, extortion-for-hire and other violent crimes across India, the United States, Canada and several other countries.
According to the indictment, the gang allegedly identified wealthy and influential victims, including prominent cultural, political and business figures, by using government databases, social media platforms and physical surveillance before carrying out extortion and violent attacks.
US CHARGES LAWRENCE BISHNOI, GOLDY BRAR
The allegations form part of "Operation Hard Ball", an FBI-led investigation that targeted three organised crime groups with links to India. The DOJ said 37 defendants have been charged in three separate federal indictments, with 24 arrests made across the United States, Canada and Europe after more than 50 coordinated search warrants. Ten accused remain fugitives.
One of the indictments names Lawrence Bishnoi and his close aide Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, accusing them of directing a global criminal enterprise from abroad and from prison. Prosecutors allege Bishnoi used contraband mobile phones and internet-based communication devices to oversee murders, extortion, kidnappings, drug trafficking, human smuggling and other organised criminal activities across multiple countries.
NIJJAR ASSASSINATION AMONG KEY ALLEGATIONS
The indictment also alleges that Bishnoi and Goldy Brar ordered the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.
Prosecutors identify Goldy Brar as the gang's alleged North American leader and Rohit Godara as the alleged coordinator of its European operations. The DOJ further alleges the organisation financed its activities through international cocaine trafficking, extortion and theft of cocaine shipments from rival criminal groups.
According to investigators, gang members used encrypted messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, to issue extortion threats demanding millions of dollars while warning victims of violence against them and their families. Prosecutors also allege the syndicate relied on social media to amplify its reputation for violence and intimidate targets, particularly within Indian diaspora communities.
The allegations contained in the federal indictment are accusations by US prosecutors and have not been proven in court.
