Gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, former university buddies turned global crime barons, have allegedly parted ways, say intelligence sources. The two, celebrated for a bloody empire that included extortion, gunrunning, and high-profile killings, were identified with each other for more than a decade.
Their relationship, which began in about 2011 when Bishnoi was at Panjab University, has since broken apart, which could make it harder for law enforcement agencies to dislodge their international operations. Bishnoi is now in jail in Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Jail, while Brar is on the loose and is known to be operating from the United States since 2017.
Crimes That Defined the Bishnoi-Brar Syndicate
The gang has been linked with a number of high-profile murders, including:
NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique in October 2024. Sukhdev Gogamedi, chief of Karni Sena, in December 2023
Sidhu Moose Wala in May 2022, concerning whom Brar explained to the BBC, “In his arrogance, he [Moose Wala] made some mistakes that could not be forgiven. We had no option but to kill him. As simple as that.”
The murder of Siddique was allegedly tied to his support for Salman Khan—another target of Bishnoi due to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case. In April 2024, Bishnoi’s gang even opened fire outside Khan’s Mumbai home. Fortunately, the actor was unharmed.
The duo also accepted credit for the killing of pro-Khalistan leaders Sukha Duneke (September 2023) and Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada (June 2023), the latter that led to a diplomatic crisis between India and Canada.
Rift Triggered by Arrest of Anmol Bishnoi in US
Sources reveal the rift intensified after the November 2024 arrest of Lawrence Bishnoi’s younger brother, Anmol, by US immigration for illegal entry. Anmol, wanted in several cases including Siddique’s killing, is fighting an extradition request and has applied for political asylum in the US.
NDTV sources indicated Bishnoi believed he was let down by Brar and his present partner Rohit Godara, who purportedly provided no support during Anmol’s bail bond hearing. Although bail was granted to Anmol, today he has a GPS anklet to wear.
New Alliances Formed Amid Gang Fallout
Following this fallout, Bishnoi reportedly severed ties with Brar and formed a new alliance with Noni Rana, the younger brother of Haryana-based gangster Kala Rana. Over recent months, Noni’s network has allegedly helped Bishnoi collect extortion money and ransom.
Intelligence agencies picked up on the new alignment when Bishnoi’s name was missing from a recent killing in Canada. That hit, claimed by Brar and Godara alone, raised eyebrows.
Territorial disputes may have also contributed. Kala Jatheri, another Haryana gangster and relative of Bishnoi’s new ally, reportedly resented Brar and Godara’s intrusion into his turf.
Meanwhile, Goldy Brar has tightened his ties with Rohit Godara, who currently operates out of Azerbaijan.
Gangland Shake-Up Complicates Police Operations
This division not only redesigns the criminal scene but also complicates law enforcement operations. With the gang now divided across borders and fresh alliances brewing, the job of breaking down their chains becomes more difficult for Indian and international agencies alike.
The intelligence establishment continues to track the changing scenario as a new gangland matrix takes shape after the Bishnoi-Brar breakdown.
