Is fugitive gangster Anmol Bishnoi, wanted in multiple high-profile cases, including the firing outside actor Salman Khan’s home, finally in custody? Indian security agencies are verifying whether a man detained by Canadian authorities is indeed the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
Sources told mid-day that the suspect was found carrying a Russian passport, which investigators suspect is forged. A photograph of the man has been shared with Indian officials, and sources say the resemblance is “significant,” raising the possibility that the person under detention is Anmol.
Apart from the April 14, 2024, firing outside Salman’s Bandra residence and the conspiracy to murder former minister Baba Siddique, he is wanted in several cases. Over 32 criminal cases — ranging from extortion and kidnapping to murder — have been registered against him, including 20 in Rajasthan alone.
Last year, Anmol was briefly detained in California, USA, before being released. His reported presence in Canada has caught Indian security agencies off guard. A senior Mumbai Police IPS officer said they had “no such official information” so far.
Salman Khan, actor and Baba Siddique, NCP leader
However, officers tracking the Bishnoi syndicate’s overseas operations say Canada has long served as one of its major bases. “His presence in Canada cannot be ruled out,” said a senior officer. Canadian authorities reportedly told their Indian counterparts that the man detained with a Russian passport may have been travelling under a fake identity.
Yet some investigators remain cautious. “When Anmol was detained in the US last year, certain mechanisms were put in place to track him,” said a Crime Branch officer. “That makes it difficult for him to cross borders unnoticed.” But another official countered, “Canada is easily accessible from the US — and the Bishnoi network is active there.” Anmol came under the Mumbai Police radar after he claimed responsibility online for the Salman Khan firing and was later linked to those arrested in the Baba Siddique murder case.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) last year announced a Rs 10 lakh reward for information on Anmol and filed charge sheets against him in two cases connected to the Bishnoi gang’s overseas operations. The Mumbai Crime Branch recently informed the special MCOCA court that efforts were underway to bring him back to India.
Investigators believe Anmol fled India years ago using a forged passport and has been moving between Canada, the US, and Kenya. He has also been linked to the conspiracy behind singer and rapper Sidhu Moose Wala’s murder.
Despite Lawrence Bishnoi’s incarceration, he allegedly continues to control the network through Anmol and close aide Rohit Godara. With the latest developments in Canada, Indian agencies are now racing to confirm the suspect’s identity — a step that could finally tighten the net around the Bishnoi gang’s global operations.
Insiders informed mid-day that Interpol has approached a few police agencies, including the Mumbai Crime Branch, to confirm the identity of the suspect detained in Canada. The confirmation will be a key development for the city police.
Extradition treaty
India and Canada have a formal extradition treaty that allows both countries to cooperate in returning fugitives wanted for serious crimes. When one nation requests extradition, the process involves verifying the suspect’s identity, sharing evidence, and conducting a judicial review in the country where the accused is being held. Extradition is approved only after both governments agree that the legal conditions are met and the offence qualifies under the treaty.
