19 November,2025 10:02 PM IST | NEW DELHI | mid-day online correspondent
Gangster Anmol Bishnoi being brought to the Patiala House Court, in New Delhi, on Wednesday. Pic/PTI
Gangster Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of jailed gangster Lawrence, has been remanded in the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) custody for 11 days by a special court at Patiala House following his arrest after extradition from the United States (US), news agency ANI reported. He was subsequently taken to the NIA headquarters for further interrogation.
Special Public Prosecutor for NIA, Rahul Tyagi, confirmed that the court granted an 11-day remand and directed that Bishnoi be produced again on November 29.
"Eleven-day remand has been granted. He will be produced again on November 29th. NIA said that he is a very important member of the BKI (Babbar Khalsa International) gangster syndicate. He will also be probed for Khalistani connection," Tyagi said.
He further claimed that Lawrence's gang had links to the Khalistan movement.
"In the FIR, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang colluded with the Babbar Khalsa International gang and started working for them. Babbar Khalsa was attempting to revive the Khalistan Movement, and they (Bishnoi gang) were helping them in the same. Several such angles are being investigatedâ¦" added Tyagi.
Calling Anmol "an important member of this terror-gangster syndicate", Tyagi said NIA believes the accused was coordinating the group's activities from abroad.
"We have already filed a chargesheet under sections 17, 18, 18A, 120B and other sections of UAPA and for extortion," stated Tyagi.
Defence says Bishnoi ready to cooperate
Advocate Rajni, Bishnoi's counsel, told the court that her client was willing to cooperate.
"We have always supported the investigation⦠we are ready to join. We will extend all possible support," she stated.
Rejecting allegations of terror links, she added, "As far as terrorist activities are concerned, we have no links to them. How will you get evidence for something which does not exist?⦠We demanded certain safeguards from the Court. The Court directed NIA to follow those guidelines. NIA also accepted that they will follow all the guidelinesâ¦"
Security stepped up; NIA moved Anmol discreetly
The security around the Patiala House Court complex was intensified before Bishnoi was brought there. According to sources, NIA discreetly moved him out of Delhi Airport due to security concerns.
NIA formally arrested Bishnoi earlier on Wednesday after he was deported from the US. The agency said he had been absconding since 2022 and is the 19th accused held in the terror-gangster network allegedly operated by Lawrence.
Bishnoi is also the main accused in the October 2024 Baba Siddique murder case as well as in the firing incident outside actor Salman Khan's Bandra residence earlier this year. His name had earlier surfaced in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala.
NIA alleges involvement in terror syndicate
The agency said Bishnoi was chargesheeted in March 2023 after investigations "established that he had actively aided designated individual terrorist Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi in the commission of various acts of terrorism in the country during the 2020-2023 period".
According to NIA, Bishnoi operated from the US, coordinating terror and organised crime activities, and also provided shelter and logistics to the gang's shooters and ground operatives. He allegedly ran extortion networks from abroad.
The investigation is part of RC 39/2022/NIA/DLI, which targets the nexus between terrorists, gangsters and arms smugglers, reported ANI.
Family demands safety
Bishnoi's cousin, Ramesh, urged the Centre to ensure his safety.
"The law will take its course⦠but our main concern is that if he is being brought to India, the Indian government should ensure his safety. This will be our demand," he said.
On Tuesday, Siddique's son Zeeshan said he received an email stating that the Centre had removed Bishnoi from the US. He stated that the family continues to await justice and wants the full conspiracy behind his father's killing to be uncovered.
Earlier this year, the NIA had announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to Bishnoi's arrest. He is chargesheeted in two NIA cases registered in 2022.
(With ANI inputs)
