On Monday, September 29, 2025, the Canadian government officially designated the Bishnoi Gang, an Indian gang linked to high-profile killings, as a terrorist entity under its Criminal Code. This decision, announced by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, aims to provide law enforcement with more robust tools to combat the gang's criminal activities.
The designation allows the Canadian government to freeze or seize any assets belonging to the Bishnoi Gang within Canada, including cash, vehicles, and property. It also makes it a criminal offense for anyone in Canada or abroad to knowingly deal with property owned or controlled by the gang, or to provide them with property that could benefit their operations. Furthermore, Canadian immigration officials now have the authority to deny entry to individuals associated with the gang.
Public Safety Canada stated that the Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal organization actively operating in parts of Canada with significant diaspora communities. The gang is known for engaging in violent acts such as murder, shootings, and arson, and for instilling fear through extortion and intimidation. They target specific communities, including prominent members, businesses, and cultural figures, creating a climate of insecurity. Minister Anandasangaree emphasized that such acts of violence and terror have no place in Canada, especially those targeting specific communities to create fear and intimidation.
The Bishnoi Gang has been linked to several high-profile killings, including the 2022 murder of Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala. They have also been implicated in death threats against Bollywood star Salman Khan and the 2024 murder of Mumbai-based politician Baba Siddique. Lawrence Bishnoi, the gang's founder, has been imprisoned in India since 2014. The gang's operations are driven by both village codes of honor and vendetta, as well as modern business and political imperatives. Drug smuggling and extortion are considered their primary sources of income, both in India and abroad.
The Canadian government has frequently identified the Bishnoi Gang as one of the most notorious criminal syndicates in the country, linking them to arms and drug trafficking. In October 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) claimed that the Bishnoi Gang was targeting members of the pro-Khalistan movement in Canada, allegedly at the behest of the Indian government. RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin stated that investigators believed the gang was connected to agents of the Government of India.
The designation of the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity comes amid efforts to repair India-Canada relations.
