Lawrence Bishnoi, infamous for his alleged role in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, is fast becoming a name as daunting as Dawood Ibrahim. Operating from Sabarmati Jail, He not only maintains a 700-strong network of gangsters but allegedly owns property, has received a political ticket, and issues threats to public figures with disturbing ease. His story, peppered with impunity and audacity, reveals unsettling truths about India’s justice system, corporate woes, and the media’s role in glorifying crime.
Moosewala Murder and the Rise of an Unstoppable Crime Boss
The brutal killing of Sidhu Moosewala in 2022 marked the beginning of Bishnoi’s notoriety. It was a murder that echoed through the nation, showing Bishnoi’s willingness to execute violent acts even while imprisoned. For many, it was a grim realization of just how little control exists over high-profile inmates. He, linked to drug trafficking, extortion, and cross-state rivalries, operates his empire from jail with a brazenness that borders on mockery of the justice system.
Bishnoi’s Political Career Behind Bars? The Rise of Gangster-Politicians
In a bizarre twist, His influence is no longer limited to the criminal underworld. Recent reports suggest that he has secured a political ticket, enabling him to enter India’s electoral arena—an arena where jailed criminals are, apparently, more than welcome. This pivot from a feared gangster to a potential politician is a telling commentary on India’s legal paradoxes, where figures like Bishnoi can exploit legal loopholes, receiving official letters from Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Sena to contest elections . As a property owner and political aspirant, he showcases the systemic flaws that allow criminals to wield power beyond prison walls.
Salman Khan, Pappu Yadav, and a List of Celebrity Threats
Bishnoi’s criminal operations aren’t merely internal gang wars; he’s turned his sights on high-profile celebrities. In 2018, he famously issued a death threat to Bollywood star Salman Khan over Khan’s blackbuck poaching incident, capitalizing on his ethnic connections to Rajasthan’s Bishnoi community, for whom the blackbuck is sacred. Most recently he has again threatened the celebrity demanding for a ransom of 5 crore against serious death threats. These threats shocked the entertainment industry and brought his name into households across India. Bishnoi later extended his list to include MP Pappu Yadav, who has publicly challenged organized crime. These public threats reveal Bishnoi’s unrelenting confidence and unchallenged power, despite his incarceration.
Punjab Police’s Flawed Approach: Dropping Charges for a Criminal Kingpin?
Law enforcement, particularly the Punjab Police, has played a curious role in this saga. Reports indicate they recently dropped charges against Bishnoi, despite his alleged admissions to criminal activities, sparking accusations of systemic leniency. For a man accused of plotting murders and violent extortion rackets, this leniency feels like a nod from the very authorities meant to keep him in check. With his expanding influence and seemingly selective enforcement of charges, Bishnoi draws unsettling comparisons to past figures like Dawood Ibrahim, who, too, thrived within a flawed system.
Irony in the Workforce: Corporates Struggle While Bishnoi Thrives Behind Bars
Adding a layer of irony, Bishnoi’s thriving criminal network exists against the backdrop of India’s struggling corporate world. While thousands face layoffs and job insecurity, a gangster manages a 700-person operation from jail. It is a tragic testament to the state of affairs when legitimate workers face financial uncertainty, yet an inmate can employ hundreds in crime with a reach that defies confinement. It almost seems as if Bishnoi’s “corporate” criminal network offers better job security than the traditional workforce.
Media Frenzy and Glorification: Is India Making Bishnoi a National Anti-Hero?
In this media-saturated age, Bishnoi’s name has not only gained notoriety but has been spun into a bizarre anti-hero narrative. Instead of highlighting his crimes, some media portray him as a charismatic figure, magnifying his influence and inadvertently glamorizing his image. This skewed narrative risks normalizing his criminal legacy, creating a disturbing fascination for the public and contributing to the culture of impunity. With each news story, Bishnoi’s image is amplified, diluting the severity of his offenses and promoting a warped sense of admiration for a criminal mastermind.
Where Does India Stand? A Call for Systemic Overhaul
The Lawrence Bishnoi saga is not merely about one man’s criminality; it underscores a deeper, systemic issue within India’s justice, administrative, and corporate frameworks. How can a country with one of the largest police forces, advanced intelligence networks, and judiciary systems allow a single figure to maintain such sway? The answer lies in addressing the systemic weaknesses that allow criminals like Bishnoi to operate freely, evade justice, and manipulate narratives to their advantage.
As India watches the ascent of this new-age crime boss, there’s an urgent need for transparency, accountability, and reform within India’s law enforcement and judicial systems. Without it, Bishnoi and those like him will continue to operate unchecked, making a mockery of justice, law, and the values of a nation that prides itself on democracy and order.