Indian authorities have arrested a suspected member of the Lawrence Bishnoi organised crime network after he was deported from the United States and landed in New Delhi, officials said on Saturday.
Lakhvinder Kumar, who is wanted in India for alleged involvement in extortion, armed intimidation, and attempted murder, was taken into custody by Haryana Police at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The arrest followed an Interpol Red Notice requested by Indian law enforcement in 2024.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said the operation was coordinated with American agencies, India’s foreign ministry and home ministry. The agency highlighted that more than 130 fugitives have been returned to India in recent years through strengthened global cooperation under Interpol channels.
The Bishnoi gang, named after its leader Lawrence Bishnoi, has been linked by police to contract killings, cross-border extortion networks and financial crimes. The group has increasingly drawn attention outside India as some of its operatives have continued directing criminal activities from overseas.
In September, the Canadian government officially designated the Bishnoi network a terrorist entity, citing threats and intimidation targeting specific communities. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the move would provide stronger legal tools to “confront and put a stop to their crimes”.
The arrest comes amid rising security cooperation between India and Western partners. It follows recent talks in New Delhi between India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin, focused on tackling transnational crime.
Earlier this month, US authorities also detained Amit Sharma, known as Jack Pandit, a senior figure associated with rival Indian crime figures Rohit Godara and Goldy Brar. Indian officials say Sharma was running an overseas extortion and money-laundering network and helping fugitives secure forged documents and financial support. His extradition to India is now being pursued.
Indian security agencies have been increasingly vocal about criminal networks using foreign soil to evade justice, warning that organised crime has begun intersecting with terrorism-related activity across borders.
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