the story So Far: On July 8, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced indictments against three Punjab-linked transnational organized crime syndicates operating in India, Canada, the United States, and Europe. The most significant allegations are that Punjab-born gangster Lawrence Bishnoi (33), currently lodged in a high-security prison in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and his associate Satinderjit Singh alias Goldie Brar had ordered the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan activist designated as a terrorist by India, in June 2023 in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.
The investigation has led to numerous arrests, major drug seizures and allegations of extortion, robbery, murders-for-hire and drug trafficking. The DoJ said 37 people have been charged so far. It said 24 defendants accused of multiple criminal offenses linked to three India-based international organized crime groups have been arrested in the US, Canada and Spain. He said law enforcement was searching for 10 fugitives – seven in the US, two in India and one in Europe.
What are the three groups charged by the US DOJ?
The central organization in the US case is the Lawrence Bishnoi Organized Crime Group (OCG). Prosecutors have described it as an international criminal enterprise headquartered in India but operating extensively in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia. According to the indictment, the group was founded and led by Lawrence Bishnoi and continued to operate while he was in jail. Goldie Brar reportedly managed North American operations, while Rohit Godara oversaw activities in Europe.
The second organization is the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria group, led by gangster Jagtar Singh alias Jaggu S Bhagwanpuria, who is currently lodged in Silchar jail in Assam. US officials describe it as a distinct international crime syndicate with a significant presence in India, Canada, the United States and other countries. According to prosecutors, the network has more than 1,000 members and affiliates around the world. The group emerged as a rival to the Bishnoi organization but reportedly developed its own international criminal infrastructure.
The third major network is linked to Canada-based Ravinder Singh Dhanda, accused of running a major cross-border narcotics operation. The primary focus of this organization is on the large-scale movement of drugs between countries, especially the US and Canada.
WATCH: US charges Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldie Brar over Nijjar’s murder in global crime crackdown
What exactly is the role of the Bishnoi group?
The DoJ accused the Bishnoi network of carrying out targeted killings, shootings, kidnappings, attacks and public threats to create an environment of fear among businessmen, celebrities and members of the Indian diaspora. According to investigators, the purpose was to promote extortion and enhance the reputation of the gang. The indictment also alleges that the group was involved in transporting cocaine and methamphetamine throughout North America and stealing narcotics shipments from rival trafficking organizations.
How did the Federal Bureau of Investigation expose the Bishnoi gang?
According to the indictment, Sukhraj Singh Kang, a senior India-based lieutenant in the Lawrence Bishnoi OCG, provided key evidence that he directed and coordinated acts of violence committed by members and associates in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere.
According to prosecutors, on January 25, 2025, Sukhraj Singh Kang agreed to help Confidential Informant-1 (CW-1) Recover funds presented as loans of $100,000 to $200,000 through extortion in exchange for a fee of $16,000. Investigators then provided a staged video that showed shots being fired at the debtor’s residence. Members of the alleged conspiracy believed that the video was real and was used to intimidate the intended victim.
In fact, the alleged debtor was an undercover law-enforcement agent (UC-1). The indictment alleges that, over the next few weeks, multiple defendants, including Kang, Rajan Bhatti, Goldie Brar, Rohit Godara, Bhulwan and Sumit, communicated directly with UC-1, demanding money and issuing threats. Prosecutors say these conversations allowed investigators to document alleged extortion demands, threats against family members, negotiations over payments and the mechanisms through which the money would be collected. The operation culminated in a controlled handover of extortion funds involving alleged associates of the Bishnoi network in California.
The indictment alleges that, over the next few weeks, multiple defendants, including Kang, Rajan Bhatti, Goldie Brar, Rohit Godara, Bhulwan and Sumit, communicated directly with UC-1, demanding money and issuing threats. Prosecutors say these conversations allowed investigators to document alleged extortion demands, threats against family members, negotiations over payments and the mechanisms through which the money would be collected. The operation culminated in a controlled handover of extortion funds involving alleged associates of the Bishnoi network in California.
How was WhatsApp allegedly used?
The indictment repeatedly identifies WhatsApp As a major communication platform used in the alleged extortion scheme. Prosecutors say Rajan Bhatti contacted UC-1 on WhatsApp on February 5, 2025, demanding $200,000 and threatening to kill him if payment was not made. Bhatti reportedly continued to use WhatsApp to issue threats, obtain information and coordinate payment arrangements. Later, on May 26 and May 29, 2025, Bhatti allegedly used WhatsApp to demand money, threaten to harm UC-1 and his family, and provide details of a payment decline in Riverside, California. The indictment also alleges that members of the Bishnoi organization regularly used encrypted messaging applications such as WhatsApp to contact extortion targets around the world. Prosecutors say the victims were threatened with violence against themselves or their relatives and were often reminded of previous acts of violence allegedly committed by the group to induce payment.
How was the signal allegedly used?
The indictment identifies Signal as another key communications platform in the alleged conspiracy. Prosecutors allege that Kang introduced CI-1 to Goldie Brar over a signal call on February 12, 2025, to facilitate extortion payments. Subsequently, several defendants allegedly used Signal to negotiate payments and issue threats.
According to the indictment, on March 5, 2025, Goldie Brar and Sumit spoke with UC-1 on Signal and negotiated partial payment. The next day, Rohit Godara allegedly used Signal to ask for money. On March 7, Bhulwan and Brar allegedly spoke separately with UC-1 on Signal, giving instructions on how payments should be made and warning of consequences if the money was not paid. On April 11, Godara and Bhulwan reportedly communicated again with UC-1 via Signal, with Godara threatening that the group would kill him after “embarrassing” them.
Where does Nijjar’s murder fit into this?
The US indictment alleges that Bishnoi and Goldie Brar ordered Killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar In June 2023. Prosecutors claim Bishnoi provided information about the target and his associates Murder carried out outside a Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia. The allegation puts the Bishnoi network at the center of one of the most sensitive diplomatic disputes between India and Canada in recent years. slaughter Diplomatic relations between India and Canada became strainedWith the Canadian government of then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Allegations of involvement of “agents of the Government of India” and designating Indian diplomats as “persons of interest” in the investigation.
Although there was no statement from the State Department or the Union Home Ministry, First Assistant to the US Attorney Bill Essaly told a press conference that “Indian authorities have been very cooperative and India is pleased with today’s operation. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is conducting a parallel investigation into South Asian organized crime,” the DOJ said.
What role does the Bhagwanpuria Group allegedly play?
The Bhagwanpuria syndicate is alleged to be an expert in extortion with the help of influence and corruption. U.S. prosecutors allege that members built relationships with corrupt public officials and police personnel and used those relationships to target rivals and pressure extortion victims. the most The shocking allegation is that Gurinderjit Singh, a serving Punjab Police officer, worked with members of the network and participated in extortion related activities. According to the DoJ, the gang allegedly used both criminal threats and legal harassment to extort money from targets.
What next?
US officials said they would seek the extradition of all accused individuals. investigation of operation hard ball – in which 37 accused, including a serving Punjab Police Inspector, were charged by the DoJ on Wednesday (July 8, 2026) – was jointly conducted by law enforcement in the US, Canada and Europe, and “is the result of a year-long federal investigation”, it said.
“These people were a problem not only here but also in India… Some of them are already in jail in India, but obviously that is not enough to curb their activities, but when they come here (after extradition), I guarantee that he will not extort more from the victims because he will be in custody for a very long time,” Mr. Essaly said.
