Lawrence Bishnoi has repeatedly made headlines over his alleged criminal network, high-profile shootings and feud with Bollywood actor Salman Khan.
A shooting incident involving Tiger Shroff in October 2026 has once again drawn attention to the gang and threats reportedly linked to it.
But who is Lawrence Bishnoi, and how did he go from student politics in Chandigarh to becoming one of India’s most closely watched gangsters?
From his early life and criminal cases to the 1998 blackbuck case involving Salman Khan, here is what you need to know about Lawrence Bishnoi and the network linked to his name.
ALSO READ: Tiger Shroff Firing Case: What We Know About The Mumbai Attack And Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Link
Who Is Lawrence Bishnoi? Meet The Man Behind The Gang
Lawrence Bishnoi was born in 1993 into a financially well-off family in the Dhattaranwali village area of Punjab's Ferozepur district. His father worked in the Haryana Police before leaving the service, according to media profiles of the gangster.
Bishnoi moved to Chandigarh in 2010 to pursue higher education. He studied at DAV College and became involved in student politics at Panjab University, where he was associated with the Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU).
He eventually became the organisation's president in 2011-12. However, his time in student politics also brought him into contact with violence and criminal cases.
According to The Indian Express, some of the early cases against him involved attempted murder, trespass, assault and robbery. These cases marked the beginning of a criminal history that would later expand beyond university politics.
ALSO READ: Who Is Anil Pandit? The Man Claiming Responsibility For The Tiger Shroff Shooting
From Campus Rivalries To A Criminal Network
Bishnoi's rise was not limited to student elections. His associations with other men involved in crime helped him develop a wider network across Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Among those linked to his early circle were Sampat Nehra and Satwinderjit Singh, also known as Goldy Brar. Over time, the network expanded beyond local rivalries and became associated with allegations of murder, extortion, intimidation and organised criminal activity.
Bishnoi was arrested in connection with criminal cases and remained in custody for extended periods. However, his imprisonment did not end the investigations into the network associated with him.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has investigated alleged links between the Bishnoi gang and the banned Khalistan-linked outfit Babbar Khalsa International. In May 2026, the agency announced that it had chargesheeted a 23rd accused in a case concerning an alleged terror-gangster conspiracy.
The case involves allegations of facilitating criminal operations and helping gang members travel using fraudulent documents. These are allegations being investigated through legal proceedings, not findings that automatically establish the guilt of every person named in the case.
ALSO WATCH: The story of Lawrence Bishnoi and Salman Khan
Why Does Lawrence Bishnoi Have A Feud With Salman Khan?
The roots of the feud go back to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case involving Salman Khan.
During the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain in Rajasthan, Khan was accused of hunting protected blackbucks. Members of the Bishnoi community, who regard the animal as sacred, filed a complaint following the alleged incident.
Khan was convicted in the case by a Jodhpur court in April 2018 and sentenced to five years in prison. The conviction and sentence were subsequently challenged through legal proceedings.
Bishnoi, who belongs to the same community, has repeatedly been associated with threats against the actor. In 2018, police said that Sampat Nehra, an alleged associate of Bishnoi, had been sent to conduct reconnaissance as part of a purported plan to kill Khan.
The blackbuck case became a recurring justification for threats issued in the gang's name. Bishnoi and people associated with him have demanded an apology from the actor, linking the demand to the animal's killing and the community's sentiments.
However, the criminal allegations against Bishnoi and the legal proceedings in Khan's blackbuck case are separate matters. The feud does not give anyone the right to threaten or attack the actor.
From Threats To Shootings: How The Feud Escalated
The threats against Khan have been followed by incidents that prompted major police investigations.
In April 2024, two men allegedly fired shots outside Khan's residence in Mumbai's Bandra area. The Bishnoi gang subsequently claimed responsibility for the incident, according to media reports.
In October that year, the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique brought the gang back into the spotlight. Mumbai Police linked the alleged shooters to the Bishnoi network, although responsibility and individual culpability must be established through the legal process.
The pattern has extended to other public figures. On 18 October 2026, a shooting incident involving Tiger Shroff's car in Mumbai's Juhu area prompted a fresh investigation. Reports said Anil Pandit claimed responsibility online and issued a warning to Khan. Police launched an investigation into the shooting and the alleged links to the gang.
ALSO WATCH: Inside the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan
What Action Have Police And Investigating Agencies Taken?
Law enforcement agencies have pursued cases connected to Bishnoi and people alleged to be part of his network.
The NIA has investigated the alleged links between the gang and terror-related conspiracies, filing multiple chargesheets against accused individuals. Police forces in different states have also investigated cases involving alleged extortion, murder and shootings attributed to members or associates of the network.
Bishnoi is being held in Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad. His continued incarceration has not prevented authorities from investigating alleged activities linked to the wider network.
In October 2026, The Indian Express reported that Mumbai Police could not take Bishnoi into custody for questioning in connection with the Tiger Shroff shooting because of a judicial custody restriction under Section 303 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as explained in its report.
ALSO WATCH: Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol extradited to India.
Why The Bishnoi Gang Remains In The Spotlight
Bishnoi's story reflects how student rivalries can develop into wider criminal networks when violence, personal loyalties and organised operations intersect.
The gang's alleged use of threats, social media claims and attacks against high-profile targets has kept it in the public eye.
As investigations continue into incidents involving celebrities and other alleged targets, the central questions remain who planned the attacks, who carried them out, and what evidence can establish individual responsibility in court.
For now, the name Lawrence Bishnoi remains tied to a network under sustained scrutiny from Indian law enforcement agencies, while the feud with Salman Khan continues to draw attention to the wider consequences of organised crime.
ALSO WATCH: The Goldy Brar Story | Sidhu Moose Wala Murder, Punjab Gang Wars & Canada Connection
TL;DR | News At Glance
Who is Lawrence Bishnoi?
Lawrence Bishnoi is an Indian gangster whose alleged criminal network has been investigated in connection with murder, extortion, shootings and organised crime across several states.
How did Lawrence Bishnoi become a gangster?
Bishnoi began his public rise through student politics at Panjab University in Chandigarh. Campus rivalries and early criminal cases preceded his emergence as a figure associated with a wider criminal network.
Why is Lawrence Bishnoi targeting Salman Khan?
The Lawrence Bishnoi-Salman Khan feud is linked to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case involving the actor. Bishnoi belongs to the Bishnoi community, which considers blackbucks sacred. Threats linked to the gang have demanded an apology from Khan.
What is the Lawrence Bishnoi gang known for?
The gang has been linked by law enforcement agencies to alleged murders, extortion, shootings and other organised criminal activities. Investigators have also examined its alleged connections with other criminal networks.
Where is Lawrence Bishnoi now?
Lawrence Bishnoi is lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, while investigations involving his alleged network continue.
What action has the NIA taken against Lawrence Bishnoi's network?
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has investigated an alleged terror-gangster conspiracy involving the network and filed chargesheets against accused individuals. Separate police investigations have examined alleged gang links to shootings, extortion and murders.
What is the connection between Lawrence Bishnoi and the Tiger Shroff shooting?
The October 2026 shooting incident involving Tiger Shroff brought renewed attention to the Bishnoi gang after reports linked online claims of responsibility and threats against Salman Khan to the incident. Investigators must establish the facts and the involvement of any accused through evidence.
ALSO WATCH: Lawrence Bishnoi's life of crime
ALSO READ: What Is Operation Hard Ball And How Undercover Agents Built The US Case Against Lawrence Bishnoi?
