A classified RCMP report alleges jailed Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi runs a transnational crime syndicate from Gujarat prison, acting on behalf of the Indian government, amid escalating Canada-India diplomatic tensions over Khalistan-related violence.
RCMP Allegations: Bishnoi Runs Crime Empire from Gujarat Prison 'On Behalf of India':
A classified report from Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has alleged that notorious Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi is orchestrating an international crime network from inside Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The document claims the Bishnoi gang is “acting on behalf of the Indian government” in targeting members of the South Asian diaspora, particularly those linked to the pro-Khalistan movement. Obtained by Global News through an access-to-information request and released on January 13, 2026, the report details violent activities including extortion, drug trafficking, and contract killings in Canada, heightening fears for public safety amid thawing diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Inside the RCMP's Classified Report: Bishnoi’s Jailhouse Empire:
The RCMP’s three-page “Protected A” report, distributed internally for situational awareness, paints a stark picture of the Bishnoi gang’s operations. It states the group is “known to use violence to further their criminal enterprise, while allegedly acting on behalf of the Indian government.” The document references the gang’s ties to New Delhi six times, linking it to the 2023 assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a temple in Surrey, B.C., and the killing of another activist, Sukhdool Singh, in Winnipeg that same year.
Bishnoi, a law graduate from Punjab, first gained notoriety in student politics, where his gang allegedly used intimidation tactics. Jailed since 2015 on charges including murder and extortion, he was transferred to Sabarmati Central Jail in 2023 amid security concerns. Despite incarceration, the report claims he “continues to run his organization while incarcerated,” using associates like Goldy Brar-who is believed to be in hiding abroad-to manage a network spanning multiple continents.
In Canada, the gang’s footprint has grown alarmingly. The RCMP notes an “extortion epidemic” targeting South Asian businesses, with drive-by shootings and threats escalating since 2023. As of January 2026, B.C. alone has reported 16 extortions and three shootings. The report ties these to broader allegations of Indian government involvement, first publicly aired by the RCMP in October 2024, when Commissioner Michael Duheme accused Indian diplomats of links to violent crimes.
The document emerged just as B.C. Premier David Eby began a trade mission to India on January 12, 2026, aimed at boosting economic ties in sectors like mining and energy. This timing underscores the delicate balance between security and diplomacy, especially under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration, which is seeking to diversify trade amid U.S. tariffs.
Khalistan Tensions Fuel Canada-India Diplomatic Clash:
The allegations stem from longstanding tensions over the Khalistan movement, a Sikh separatist cause advocating for an independent state in India’s Punjab region. India views Khalistan supporters as terrorists, labeling figures like Nijjar-who was designated a terrorist by New Delhi in 2020-as threats to national security.
The diplomatic rift ignited in September 2023 when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (in office until late 2024) accused “agents of the Indian government” of involvement in Nijjar’s murder, based on credible intelligence. This led to mutual expulsions of diplomats in October 2024 and a freeze in relations. The RCMP explicitly named the Bishnoi gang as a proxy for Indian agents during a press conference that month, with Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin stating the group was “connected to agents of the government of India.”
By 2025, Canada added the Bishnoi group to its terrorist entities list, citing its role in homicides and extortion. However, the official listing omits any mention of Indian government links, focusing instead on the gang’s criminal activities. The 2026 RCMP report revives these claims, describing the gang’s expansion into Canada as part of a campaign against the Sikh diaspora.
This comes against a backdrop of improving bilateral ties. In August 2025, both countries appointed new envoys after months of strain. Carney’s government has emphasized cooperation on transnational crime, with officials noting in October 2025 that “trans-national organised crime is a particular concern to both countries.”