Salman Khan Attack Plot, Sidhu Moosewala Murder: Inside US Charges Against Lawrence Bishnoi

India-based gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been lodged in jail since 2015, has been indicted by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) along with six alleged associates on charges ranging from murder and extortion to drug trafficking and human smuggling.

The indictment alleges that despite being incarcerated, Bishnoi continued to direct a transnational criminal network operating across multiple countries through smuggled communication devices.

The charges, unsealed in a federal court in California, describe the Bishnoi Organised Crime Group (OCG) as a global syndicate with operatives in India, Canada, the US, the UK, Europe and Australia. According to the DoJ, the network allegedly targeted prominent political, business and cultural figures in India and the Indian diaspora.

A global criminal network, says DoJ

The indictment claims Bishnoi continued to issue instructions from prison using contraband mobile phones and internet-based communication devices. It identifies alleged associates Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar as the syndicate’s North America-based leader, Rohit Godara as its Europe-based operative, and Sukhraj Singh Kang as a key coordinator in India. Three others — Rajan Bhatti, Bhulwan and Sumit — have also been named in the case.

According to US prosecutors, the organisation was involved in murders, extortion, narcotics trafficking and intimidation campaigns across international borders.

Key allegations in the indictment

Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing:
The DoJ alleges Bishnoi and Goldy Brar ordered the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. The indictment claims four conspirators participated in the operation, with two allegedly carrying out the shooting.

Sidhu Moosewala murder:
The indictment also alleges that the Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for ordering the murder of Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala (Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu), who was shot dead in Punjab’s Mansa district on May 29, 2022.

Salman Khan threat and firing incident:
US prosecutors further allege that Bishnoi repeatedly declared his intention to kill a “well-known Indian actor and television personality” identified only as “SK”, widely understood to refer to Salman Khan. The indictment references the firing outside the actor’s Mumbai residence in April 2024 and links the alleged threats to the long-running dispute over the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.

Gippy Grewal targeted:
The document also refers to the November 2023 shooting at the residence of Punjabi actor-singer Gippy Grewal. It alleges that the Bishnoi gang later continued issuing threats and extortion demands to Grewal and his manager between late 2025 and early 2026.

California murder:
Among the overseas incidents cited is the December 2024 killing of alleged drug smuggler Sunil Yadav in Stockton, California. The indictment says Goldy Brar and Rohit Godara claimed responsibility on behalf of the Bishnoi gang and warned rivals through a social media post that they would be pursued “in any corner of the world.”

The US indictment outlines allegations made by federal prosecutors. The charges have yet to be tested in court, and those named are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.