Salman Khan firing case: Lawrence Bishnoi's first brush with violence was as a Chandigarh student

Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, amid heavy police security, while coming out of the Amritsar court in 2022

Lawrence Bishnoi's journey from a regular student to becoming India's most notorious gangster is a tale of crime, influence, and power. Born to Lovinder Bishnoi in the village of Dutaravali, Punjab, Lawrence's upbringing seemed ordinary. However, his path took a dark turn as he delved into the world of crime.

Early years

mid-day has obtained an intelligence report detailing Bishnoi's criminal activities from his days as a student to his rise as one of the most feared gangsters. As per the report, Bishnoi grew up in Sangaria, Rajasthan, where he attended school at Assumption Convent School in Abohar, Punjab. He completed his Std X there before moving on to DAV Public School in Chandigarh for his Std XII and XII.

File Pic of Lawrence Bishnoi

Following this, he pursued a degree in law at Punjab University, graduating in 2013. His father, Lovinder Bishnoi, joined the Haryana Police as a constable in 1996 but resigned after five years of service. He then began working as a farmer on his land. Lawrence has a younger brother named Anmol Bishnoi, who is 24 years old and is also wanted in various cases. He currently operates from the USA, Canada, and Australia. Their mother, Sunita Devi, is a homemaker.

After enrolling at Punjab University in Chandigarh in 2009, he joined SOPU the Student Organisation of Punjab University. It was there that he met Goldy, who was then serving as the president of SOPU.

Student violence

The following year, during the 2010 campaign for Robin Brar, tensions flared at the student centre between Bishnoi's faction and PUSU students, who were backed by a group from Muktsar in Punjab, campaigning for the presidency.

Amid the confrontation, Sonu Bajwa, an associate of Bishnoi from Nayagaon, Chandigarh, fired the initial shot. Soon after, Bishnoi, accompanied by his cohorts, including Ravneet Sidhu from Rampuraphool, Bathinda, and Amandeep Multani from Mohali (currently in Los Angeles and apprehended in a drug-related case), among others, set ablaze cars belonging to Uday Warring, the opposing candidate, attracting attention to their cause.

Within 10 days, they were apprehended in both instances. Despite this initial setback, Bishnoi managed to secure bail after two months and resumed his political engagements, frequently visiting colleges in Punjab.

Expanding activity

Alongside his companions, including Goldy Brar from Police Colony, Muktsar, Vicky Tala from Ferozpur, Chetan from Chandigarh, Javed Jinja from Vill. Beghawali, Fazilka, Happy Deora from Ferozpur, Naresh from Abhor, Vikram Brar from Ganganagar, Vikram from Abhor (currently in Melbourne, Australia), Ishwar from Abhor, Yadvender Chandi from Muktsar, Gurlal Brar from Kotakapura, Jeevanjyot Samara from Kotakapura, and Mandeep alias Mani from Chandigarh, he actively engaged in political endeavors. According to the report, Lawrence's criminal network progressively expanded over the years, entangling him in a spectrum of crimes from political violence to extortion and homicide. His affiliation with like-minded individuals facilitated the establishment of a formidable presence in the criminal underworld.

The report states that, in 2013, Bishnoi's friend Javed had quarreled with Janta Lahoriya. Then he along with Naresh, Yadvender Chandi, Jeevanjyot, and Javed, fired at Janta Lahoriya in Shamshan Ghat in Abhor district in Punjab, but later they compromised the case. After that, Bishnoi ran away and stayed with his friends at various places in Chandigarh, Jaipur.

In September 2016, while incarcerated in Faridkot jail, Bishnoi allegedly ordered to carry out an attack on Chotu Bhaat at Dabwali, Sirsa court. During this incident, Chotu sustained injuries, and two police personnel, along with an advocate, were also arrested. Bhaat had allegedly killed Bishnoi's cousin.

Series of firing incidents

In 2017, Lawrence Bishnoi allegedly contacted Dr Chandak, the owner of Sri Ram Hospitals, for extortion. Subsequently, his associates, fired at Dr Chandak.

Additionally, Bishnoi reportedly threatened the owner of Jain buses in Jodhpur, and his associates fired at him as well.

During the same year, Bishnoi orchestrated a plan to facilitate the escape of his associate Tinu from police custody with the help of his associates.

Furthermore, Bishnoi instructed his associates to attack a financier named Bhalla from Panchkula. In another incident, Bishnoi demanded extortion money from smuggler Vasudev Irani, who refused to comply. As a result, Bishnoi allegedly ordered the murder of Irani.

In January 2018, Lawrence Bishnoi demanded control over liquor shops in the Rajasthan, Churu area circle from a personal named Ajay from Churu, a history-sheeter. When Ajay refused to comply, Bishnoi orchestrated a plan to murder him in court, his shooters carried out the killing at the ADJ Court Sadulpur, Churu. In December 2019, Lawrence Bishnoi instructed his associates to eliminate Manpreet Singh Manna from Malout, Muktsar, a history-sheeter. Bishnoi allegedly targeted Manna because he provided information about his shooter, Ankit Bahadu, to the police for an encounter. Additionally, Bishnoi accused Manna of being involved in the past killing of his friend, Happy Deora.

Extortion and murder

In 2020, Lawrence Bishnoi demanded extortion money from Arvind Singla, a liquor baron from Chandigarh, but initially faced refusal. Subsequently, he instructed his associates Nitin from Amritsar, Gursewak from Zirakhpur, Topi from Sonipat, and Chawla from Kurukhestra to carry out the task. Furthermore, in the same year, Bishnoi ordered his associates Topi and Chawla to open fire at a liquor shop in Sec-9, Chandigarh, demanding extortion money.

Additionally, Bishnoi instructed his associates Pawan Nehra from Gurgaon, Sukha, and Yashpal alias Sarpanch to murder one Ranjit Singh alias Rana on the Malout-Muktsar road. This action was reportedly taken because Singh was actively involved in the Gurlal Brar murder case. In the same year, Bishnoi allegedly ordered Pawan Nehra, Sukha, Sarpanch, and JD from Gurgaon to open fire on one Saifi in Faridkot due to his association with anti-gang members.

According to reports, on November 21, 2020, Lawrence Bishnoi was transferred to Ajmer High-Security Jail and was reportedly not involved in any cases thereafter. However, his associates, including Kala from Jathedi, Kala Rana from Yamunanagar, and Goldy Brar, continued to operate the gang and were allegedly involved in numerous cases across Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan, of which Bishnoi was aware of.

In May 2022, Punjabi Singer Siddhu Moosewala was murdered in broad daylight, and Goldy Brar claimed responsibility. While Lawrence Bishnoi denied direct involvement, he was reportedly aware of the operation and was incarcerated in Tihar Jail at the time. Currently, Bishnoi is detained in the high-security Sabarmati prison in Gujarat following his arrest by the Gujarat ATS in connection with a drug case.

2009
The year Lawrence Bishnoi met Goldy Brar