Lawrence Bishnoi, now infamous for his alleged involvement in high-profile murders, including those of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique and Punjabi singer-politician Sidhu Moose Wala, had a markedly different persona during his early encounters with law enforcement. Amanjot Singh, a former Chandigarh inspector who first arrested Lawrence Bishnoi approximately 13 years ago, reflects on the transformation of the young man he once knew.
In 2010, at the age of 18, Lawrence Bishnoi was involved in student politics at Panjab University. Following a dispute with a student leader, he set fire to vehicles parked outside Sector 11 in Chandigarh. Singh recalls that during this initial arrest, Bishnoi appeared “very innocent,” often addressing police officials as “uncle” or “sir.” He was detained for a day and seemed to act under the directives of his party leadership. Singh admits he “never thought” Lawrence Bishnoi would evolve into “such a big gangster.”
Lawrence Bishnoi’s notoriety escalated in 2018 when he publicly threatened Bollywood actor Salman Khan, accusing him of poaching blackbuck antelopes, animals revered by the Bishnoi community to which Lawrence belongs. During a court appearance in Jodhpur, he declared, “We will kill Salman Khan. Everyone will know once we take action.” This threat brought him into the national spotlight.
The murder of Baba Siddique, a close friend of Salman Khan, in Mumbai last month, and the 2022 killing of Sidhu Moose Wala in Punjab, have both been linked to Lawrence Bishnoi, further cementing his reputation in criminal circles.
Singh notes that Lawrence Bishnoi’s transformation into a feared gangster accelerated during his time in jail. Repeated incarcerations brought him into contact with hardened criminals who recognized his potential. “When he kept going to jail, some prisoners who had committed major crimes felt that there was something special about Lawrence Bishnoi. They then started using him,” Singh explains. These associations provided Lawrence Bishnoi with protection and facilitated his rise within the criminal hierarchy.
A pivotal figure in Lawrence Bishnoi’s evolution was Ranjit Jasvinder Singh, alias Rocky Fazilka, whomLawrence Bishnoi met through another gangster, Ranjit Singh “Dupla,” while in Banda jail, Uttar Pradesh. Impressed by Lawrence Bishnoi, Fazilka took him under his wing. Their proximity in native villages in Punjab’s Ferozepur district strengthened their bond, leading to a close partnership in criminal activities.
Since 2015, Lawrence Bishnoi has been incarcerated and is currently held in Gujarat. Despite his imprisonment, his influence within the criminal underworld persists, with allegations of orchestrating crimes from behind bars. Singh’s reflections underscore the drastic transformation of a young student leader into one of India’s most notorious gangsters, highlighting the complex interplay of personal choices and external influences in shaping an individual’s path.
